Methods and apparatus for enhancing safety and/or security in potentially dangerous situations

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments are directed to a lockdown apparatus for facilitating initiation of lockdown procedures at a facility that is configured for occupation by facility occupants and that includes a fire alarm. The fire alarm can include a fire alarm actuator and a fire alarm communicator configured to produce a fire alarm communication for communicating actuation of the fire alarm actuator. The lockdown apparatus can include a manually operated lockdown actuator disposed at the facility and configured to transmit a lockdown initiation signal upon being manually actuated, the manually operated actuator being configured to be recognizably distinguishable from the fire alarm actuator. The lockdown apparatus can include a lockdown communicator configured to produce a lockdown communication for communicating initiation of lockdown procedures to the facility occupants and individuals not disposed proximate the facility upon transmission of the lockdown initiation signal, the lockdown communication being recognizably distinguishable from the fire alarm communication.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for enhancingsafety and/or security in potentially dangerous situations. Moreparticularly, some of these embodiments are directed to addressingsafety and/or security issues, such as those issues involving orotherwise related to emergencies in facilities.

Unfortunately, violent incidents in or around schools in the UnitedStates, including shootings, have been a regular occurrence for decades.Over the 40 years preceding the Apr. 20, 1999, Columbine, Colo. massshooting, more than 150 students and staff members were killed in U.S.school related shooting incidents. More disturbingly, in just the 14years since Columbine, over 114 school shootings have resulted in thedeaths of more than 190 students and staff members. The incidences ofshootings at other facilities, such as hospitals, malls, movie theaters,post offices, and other government/military instillations, have alsosignificantly increased over the past several years.

The internet's free flow of information, copycats, dissemination andease in obtaining guns, limitations of our mental health institutions,and the lack of jobs in the economy, all operate to increase thepropensity of more shootings, including mass shootings. The magnitude ofthis threat is tremendous based on the large number of potentialtargets. For example, the United States has over 132,000 public andprivate K-12 schools, over 4,400 colleges and universities, and over117,000 daycare facilities.

SUMMARY

The handling of violent situations in schools and other facilities hasbeen the focus of much discussion over the last decade based on thelarge number of recent incidences of violence, and the accompanyingmedia attention. However, the related art fails to provide any methodsor apparatus for sufficiently addressing the above threat, such as bysufficiently impeding or preventing shooting(s) or other types atviolence, and/or by enhancing safety and/or security once theshooting(s) or other types of violence has initiated, even thoughevidence suggests that this epidemic of violence will become even moreprolific. This failure in the related art is especially egregious whencontrasted with the tremendous resources allocated to other safetyrelated issues that generate or otherwise involve fewer casualties. Forexample, fire safety is heavily regulated by state and/or federal codesthat require all schools to maintain resilient file alarm systems and toregularly perform effective fire drills, even though no student in theU.S. has died in a school fire in the last 50 years.

It may therefore be beneficial to provide methods and apparatus forenhancing safety and/or security in potentially dangerous situations,and in particular addressing safety and/or security issues that involveor are otherwise related to emergencies. The emergencies addressed bysome of these embodiments relate to shooting(s) and/or other types ofviolence at facilities, including but not limited to events referred toin the present disclosure as active shooter situations that warrant orotherwise involve lockdown situations or lockdown related procedures. Inother words, these embodiments relate to situations where it may bebeneficial to contain facility occupants to a locked or otherwisesecured room or location in order to restrict entry and/or exit fromthose areas for the purpose of minimizing exposure to injury or deaththat could directly or indirectly result from the active shootersituation. Thus, some of the disclosed embodiments are directed to, orotherwise operate in the context of, lockdown situations at suchfacilities involving active shooter situations.

It is intended that embodiments of the present disclosure be applicableto any type of facility, such as indoor or outdoor facilities, orcombinations of both, including but not limited to: 1) buildings and/orgrounds of buildings; 2) aircraft, ships and other types oftransportation related vehicles; and 3) any other type of area that canbe subjected to safety and/or security issues, such as underground orunderwater facilities, offshore platforms such as oil rigs, outdoorgathering places such as outdoor malls and flea markets, sports arenas,etc., and other facilities that include indoor, covered, and/or outdoorareas. It is also intended that embodiments of the present disclosurenot be limited to active shooter situations, and instead be applicablein any type of potentially dangerous situation, such as situationsinvolving any type of emergency. In addition, embodiments of the presentdisclosure are intended to enhance the safety and/or security ofanything, including people, animals and other organisms, personal andreal property, etc., regardless of whether the object of protection isdisposed at the facility.

Many of the embodiments are disclosed herein in the context ofaddressing emergency situations in and around buildings, such asschools, pre-schools, college campuses, training facilities,recreational facilities, country clubs, sports clubs including healthclubs, restaurants, banks, commercial and/or government offices, courthouses, factories and/or other manufacturing facilities, movie theaters,concert halls, hotels, casinos, residences, condominiums, apartmentbuildings, housing complexes, shops, shopping malls, grocery stores,automotive dealerships, hospitals, medical centers, post offices,government/military instillations, sports arenas, airports, busterminals, train stations, libraries, museums, prisons, and any otherfacilities in which people gather. Some of the emergencies addressed bythese embodiments include violent incidents including but not limited toincidents involving the unlawful use of firearms and/or other dangerousweapons at these facilities. However, even though much of the presentdisclosure is provided in the context of the above specificapplications, such as active shooter type incidents at schools, it isintended that the various inventive aspects be applied in many otherdifferent facilities and other types of situations, such as weatherrelated emergencies, facility investigations, etc.

Some of the disclosed embodiments include apparatus that directly orindirectly addresses the above safety and/or security issues. The termapparatus as used in the present disclosure is intended to include anytangible objects; software or computer programs capable of performingthe various disclosed determinations, operations, calculations, etc.;products of manufacture; particles of matter; etc. Other embodiments aredirected to methods of manufacturing and/or methods of using the aboveapparatus. Still other embodiments are directed to methods or proceduresfor directly or indirectly addressing or relating to the above safetyand/or security issues, such as the lockdown procedures themselves,which can be performed in conjunction with the above apparatus oralternatively in isolation from the above apparatus.

Various of the disclosed embodiments applicable to lockdown situationsinclude, or directly or indirectly relate to, methods and apparatusfor: 1) initiating and/or otherwise communicating the lockdownsituation; 2) procedures to be followed subsequent to initiation of thelockdown situation and/or communication thereof; and/or 3) terminatingor otherwise communicating the termination of a lockdown situation. Someaspects of these methods and apparatus are summarized below, and anindex of topics is provided for convenience.

I. Initiating and/or Otherwise Communicating the Lockdown Situation

-   -   A. Actuator        -   1. Manually Operated Actuator            -   a. Actuator Configuration            -   b. Procedures for Actuation        -   2. Automatic Actuator    -   B. Communicator        -   1. Individuals Located at or in Proximity to the Facility in            Lockdown            -   a. Annunciator            -   b. Visual Indicator            -   c. Other Mediums            -   d. Results of Communication        -   2. Individuals Not Located at or in Proximity to the            Facility in Lockdown    -   C. Other Apparatus and Methods Effective at Lockdown Initiation

II. Procedures Subsequent to Initiation/Communication of Lockdown

-   -   A. Individuals Located at or in Proximity to the Facility in        Lockdown        -   1. Basic Lockdown Procedures        -   2. Response Time Versus Duration of Safety Zone        -   3. Response Based on Immediacy and Context of Danger        -   4. Communications During Lockdown    -   B. Individuals Not Located at or in Proximity to the Facility in        Lockdown        -   1. Authorities Addressing Circumstances Giving Rise to            Lockdown        -   2. Individuals Facilitating Favorable Outcomes at Facility            in Lockdown        -   3. Individuals Not Providing Benefit to Facility in Lockdown

III. System Summary

I. Initiating and/or Otherwise Communicating the Lockdown Situation

Embodiments are intended to include various methods and apparatus forinitiating and/or otherwise communicating a lockdown situation. A fewexemplary methods and apparatus are summarized below for exemplarypurposes, and are not intended to be construed as a mandatory orexhaustive listing of such methods and apparatus. Embodiments areintended to include all known, related art, and/or later developedtechnologies for implementing any and all of the operations disclosedbelow and elsewhere in the disclosure in the context of initiatingand/or otherwise communicating a lockdown situation.

A. Actuator

Some embodiments include an actuator for facilitating initiation oflockdown procedures. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwiseinvolve any type of actuator that enables initiation of the lockdownprocedures, including known, related art, and/or later developedtechnologies.

1. Manually Operated Actuator

Some embodiments include a manually operated actuator or multiplemanually operated actuators, which can be manually operated by a user toinitiate lockdown procedures or as part of a procedure for initiatinglockdown procedures. Any type of manually operated actuator can be used,however many embodiments include manually operated actuators that arerelatively easy and intuitive to operate, while also being configured toimpede or otherwise resist accidental or unintentional actuation.

a. Actuator Configuration

In some of these embodiments, the manually operated actuator includes aswitch or button (which in some embodiments is circular) thatfacilitates initiation of lockdown procedures upon being pressed orotherwise actuated. In some embodiments, the button needs to be pressedfor actuation with a sufficient force and/or depressed for a certainperiod to impede or otherwise reduce accidental or unintentionalactuations. In some of these embodiments, the actuator or button isconfigured to increase recognizability or ease of identificationespecially in comparison to fire alarm pull stations and other switchesor apparatus, including but not limited to those that may be disposedproximate to the actuator or button. The actuator configurations thatfacilitate recognition and identification include size, shape, color,texture, location, disposition, orientation, method of operation, etc.However, as indicated above, it is also important for the actuatorembodiments to be configured for relatively easy and intuitive operationto facilitate swift actuation, by many different types of people(including children), in very stressful situations.

Some embodiments include at least one statically disposed or stationarymanually operated actuator, which can be permanently disposed at acertain location. For example, some embodiments include a singlemanually operated actuator that is permanently disposed at a certainlocation. For example, it may be beneficial for the actuator of theseembodiments to be disposed at a front office, such as at or proximate amain entrance of a school, so that it can be conveniently actuated byrelevant school officials present at that location. By virtue of theirlocation, the officials located proximate the school's main entrance maybe some of the first officials able to recognize a situation warrantinga lockdown, such as entry into the school of an active shooter, and thusconvenient actuation by these officials may expedite initiation of thelockdown. Alternatively or additionally, it may be beneficial to disposea static manually operated actuator in or proximate the office of asenior school official, such as the Vice-Principal or Principal, forvarious reasons, such as to ensure convenient actuation by an officialwith authorization to initiate lockdown, its proximity to the mainentrance, etc.

However, other embodiments include multiple statically disposed manuallyoperated actuators at the above and/or other locations. For example, itmay be beneficial to dispose manually operated actuators at a facility'scommon areas, such as along the hallways, entrances/exits, etc., of aschool.

It may also be beneficial to dispose the actuators in other locations,such as in individual rooms, such as in classrooms, gymnasiums, etc.

In some of these embodiments, the manually operated actuators aredisposed proximate or at locations similar to fire alarm actuators (pullstations). The disposition of these actuators can be tailored orotherwise dictated by the locations relevant to identification ofcircumstances warranting initiation of lockdown to facilitate expeditedactuation. For example, the actuators can be located proximate thecircumstances that warrant the lockdown, such as nearby anticipatedlocations of violence. Alternatively or additionally, the actuators canbe located proximate to facility occupants who are most likely toidentify circumstances warranting initiation of the lockdown tofacilitate expedited actuation, including not only anticipated locationsof violence, but also facility monitoring stations.

In addition or as an alternative to the statically disposed manuallyoperated actuators, some embodiments include mobile manually operatedactuators. In some of these embodiments, the mobile actuators areconfigured to be carried on the person of certain facility occupants.For example, the mobile actuators can be carried by teachers and/orother school officials. The mobile actuators may be beneficial forvarious reasons, such as by expediting actuation and thus initiation oflockdown.

Embodiments are intended to include any mobile actuator configuration.For example, the mobile actuator can constitute a designated singlepurpose device that is solely directed to actuation, such as in thecontext of lockdown. Some of these embodiments are configured tofacilitate ease in carrying the actuator, such as by being: 1) attachedto a necklace or other device to be worn around the neck, 2) attached toa clip or other device for attachment to a belt, existing security card,etc., 3) sized for disposition in a pocket, etc.

Alternatively, the mobile actuator can constitute a part of amulti-purpose device that is directed or otherwise configured foroperation(s) in addition to actuation, such as in the context oflockdown. In some of these embodiments, the actuator operations areprovided via another electronic device, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, iPad, etc. For example, some or all of the actuator operationsmay be provided via an application on a smart phone. These embodimentscan be beneficial such as for reasons of convenience, i.e., many or allof the relevant facility occupants (such as teachers and/or other schoolofficials) already own and/or regularly carry such devices.

Embodiments of the static and mobile actuators are intended to includeany and all useful configurations. For example, with regard to thestatic actuators, embodiments are intended to include any structure thatreduces, minimizes, impedes, or prevents accidental or unintendedactuation. In some such embodiments, a transparent surface or shield isprovided over or around a button that communicates actuation upon beingdepressed. In some of these embodiments, the shield is in the form of ahinged member that can be manually rotated to expose the button foractuation. In other embodiments, the shield breaks or is otherwisedeformed upon being subjected to a sufficient force to thereby enablethe button to be actuated.

Embodiments are also intended to include any and all useful apparatusthat may supplement the actuators. For example, some embodiments of thestatic actuators also include apparatus for monitoring the environmentof the actuators. In some embodiments, a camera or video recorder can beprovided proximate the actuators, which may be beneficial for variousreasons. In some of these embodiments, the camera or video recorder cancapture a still or video image that may be relevant to determining thecause of actuation of the actuator, circumstances surrounding orprompting initiation of the lockdown procedures, identification of theindividual actually engaging or actuating the actuator, etc.

b. Procedures for Actuation

Some embodiments are directed to methods and/or apparatus foridentifying and/or facilitating the identification of situations orcircumstances warranting the initiation of lockdown procedures.Identification of these situations and circumstances can be used toguide the manual actuation of the actuators. For example, someembodiments include apparatus and/or methods for guiding, training, orinstructing facility occupants as to the proper situations andcircumstances that warrant manual actuation of the actuator. Asdisclosed herein, safety and/or security can be enhanced by swiftlyidentifying potentially dangerous situations. For example, earlyidentification of an active shooter can be used as an early warning toinform facility occupants to initiate procedures designed to prevent orreduce casualties.

As one example, apparatus can be disposed at facility entrances/exits tocommunicate that certain individuals, such as visitors, must performcertain procedures, such as procedures related to obtainingauthorization for entry, confirmation of entry (such as by signing in),etc. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type ofmethods and apparatus for performing this operation. For example, thisapparatus can be in the form of a sign communicating the prescribedprocedures. Facility officials can be trained, guided, or instructed tomanually actuate an actuator if a visitor fails to follow the prescribedprocedures subsequent to entry. In some embodiments, the visitor'sfailure to follow the prescribed procedures is sufficient to warrantmanual actuation, while in other embodiments manual actuation is onlywarranted after additional events, such as the visitor's continuedfailure to follow the prescribed procedures even after being personallyconfronted by the facility official.

The above and/or other methods and apparatus can facilitate or expeditethe identification of situations or circumstances warranting theinitiation of lockdown procedures in other ways. For example, thesemethods and apparatus can educate facility occupants as to recommendedprocedures in certain situations. In some of these embodiments, theapparatus and methods direct the facility occupants to recognizegunfire, and to then follow recommended procedures, such as to assumethe worst-case scenario, avoid investigating the situation, and insteadto immediately actuate the actuator to initiate a lockdown and thenfollow lockdown procedures.

2. Automatic Actuator

Alternatively, or in addition to the manually operated actuators,automatic actuators can be used to facilitate initiation of lockdownprocedures. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover anytype of automatic actuators that are beneficial in the context orapplication of the system. For example, in the context of a lockdownsystem for a facility, automatic actuators can be used that include asensor that senses gunfire, such as via acoustic and/or vibrationsensing techniques or technologies. In these embodiments, the automaticactuator facilitates initiation of the lockdown procedures upon sensingthe sounds and/or vibrations of gunfire. Similarly, some automaticactuators may include sensors that sense the release or existence ofcertain types of gasses that would warrant initiation of lockdownprocedures, such as pepper spray, tear gas, gasses related to weapons'discharge, etc.

B. Communicator

Some embodiments include a communicator for facilitating communicationof initiation of lockdown procedures. Embodiments are intended toinclude or otherwise involve any type of communicator that enables thecommunication of initiation of the lockdown procedures, including known,related art, and/or later developed technologies.

The communicators and communication methods of some of the embodimentsinclude two types of apparatus and/or operations, which are eachsummarized below. Characterizing the different types of communicatorsand communication methods is not intended as limiting in any way, and ismerely provided for explanatory purposes. For example, in someembodiments, both types can be provided by the same unitary or integralapparatus, or form part of the same method or step. Alternatively, inother embodiments, both types are provided via separate and discreetapparatus, methods, or steps.

The first type includes apparatus and/or methods that directlycommunicate initiation of the lockdown procedures to individuals locatedat or in proximity to the facility in lockdown, such as viaannunciators, visual indicators, etc. Another example of this first typeincludes apparatus and/or methods that directly communicate initiationof the lockdown procedures to individuals not located at or in proximityto the facility in lockdown, such as electronics, software,telecommunications equipment, etc., that perform this operation viavoice messaging, text messaging, SMS, etc., utilizing hard-wired,wireless, and/or other technologies.

The second type includes apparatus and methods that structurally,functionally, and/or operationally connect the actuators with the firsttype of communicators. For example, the second type includes apparatusand methods for enabling or instructing the first type of communicatorto perform the appropriate and/or timely communication of initiation ofthe lockdown procedures if the actuator is actuated. In other words, thesecond type includes any apparatus and methods for initiating operationof the first type of communicator upon actuation of any of theactuators. Examples of the second type include any apparatus and/ormethod for generating and/or receiving a signal indicating actuation ofany of the actuators, and transmitting the signal or another signal toinstruct any of the first type of communicators to perform the timelyand appropriate communication of initiation of the lockdown.

Embodiments of the second type include any and all technologies forperforming this operation, including hard-wired, wireless, processorimplemented, and/or other technologies. In particular, some embodimentsof the second type of communicator include signal/message generators,transmitters, and/or receivers, as well as relevant lines or modes oftransmission. Some of the embodiments dispose all or some of theapparatus of the second type in a centralized location, such as at acontrol panel, while other embodiments dispose this apparatus atdifferent locations.

A few exemplary embodiments of communicators or communication procedures(some of which are constituted by the above first type, while others areconstituted by both of the first and second types) are disclosed belowin two different contexts. Specifically, the embodiments are disclosedbelow in the contexts of communicating to: 1) individuals located at orin proximity to the facility in lockdown; and 2) individuals not locatedat or in proximity to the facility in lockdown. However, thisdistinction is not intended as limiting in any way, and is merelyprovided for explanatory purposes. For example, in some embodiments,both types can be provided by the same unitary or integral apparatus, orform part of the same method or step. Alternatively, in otherembodiments, both types are provided via separate and discreetapparatus, methods, or steps.

1. Individuals Located at or in Proximity to the Facility in Lockdown

Some embodiments include a communicator that communicates initiation ofthe lockdown procedures to individuals located at or in proximity to thefacility in lockdown. These embodiments are intended to include anytype, location, orientation, or configuration of communicator that isable to perform this operation, i.e., to communicate the initiation oflockdown procedures to individuals located at or in proximity to thefacility in lockdown. The embodiments are intended to include orotherwise cover any type or medium of recognizable or identifiablecommunication, including but not limited to audio, visual, vibratory,and/or other types of communications that can be recognized by anindividual located at or in proximity to the facility in lockdown,including individuals who may be at risk of injury or death based on thecircumstances warranting the lockdown.

a. Annunciator

Some of these embodiments include an annunciator that provides anaudible signal that can be heard by individuals at or in proximity tothe facility in lockdown. Embodiments are intended to include any type,disposition, orientation, or configuration of annunciator thatcommunicates initiation of the lockdown procedures to individuals at orin the vicinity of the facility.

It may be beneficial for the annunciator to be configured, disposedand/or oriented to provide an audible signal that is easily recognizableor identifiable as indicating initiation of the lockdown. In otherwords, annunciation can be provided to enhance swift and effectiverecognition of facility occupants that a lockdown situation has beeninitiated and to avoid confusion. Thus, some embodiments provide a loudand/or otherwise distinctive audible alarm that facilitates recognitionor identification by the facility occupants of the lockdown. Someembodiments accomplish this operation by providing an audible alarm thatsounds very different as compared to other relevant sounds, such as afire alarm. It may also be beneficial for the annunciators to bedistinctive in other respects, such as by virtue of their disposition,orientation, etc., to enhance identification or recognition. However, asexplained in other sections of the present disclosure, some embodimentsinclude other or additional types or forms of indication of initiationof lockdown (such as visual indication), which may be especiallyadvantageous in applications where some or all facility occupants findit challenging or impossible to recognize an audible annunciation, suchas individuals who are hearing impaired.

Distinction from a fire alarm can be especially beneficial for otherreasons. For example, as explained below and elsewhere in the presentdisclosure, fire alarms and lockdowns often require very different, andin some cases opposite, responses. Thus, it may be very beneficial forfacility occupants to not mistake a lockdown for a fire situation, andvice versa, for safety reasons. In other words, and as explained in moredetail below, participating in fire alarm procedures in a lockdownsituation may place the facility occupants at greater risk of injury ordeath.

In accordance with many fire alarm procedures at certain facilities,such as schools, the building occupants are instructed to exit thefacility in an orderly and methodical manner to ensure that all facilityoccupants have been evacuated, i.e., to reduce the likelihood that anoccupant has erroneously failed to evacuate. In many cases, the studentsare lined up in the hallways, and marched out of the school. Thestudents are then often instructed to wait outside of the school at alocation on the school grounds until the fire procedure is completed,and typically are deposited at a location in the line of sight of theschool or entrances/exits of the school. Although it may be beneficialfor this evacuation to be performed in a swift of expedited manner, ittypically is not necessary to evacuate all occupants from the school inan extremely short period, such as in a matter of seconds.

Contrarily, in many lockdowns, such as those involving an activeshooter, under certain circumstances, it may be preferable to shelter inplace and to not immediately evacuate the building. For example, it canbe preferable in these situations to be disposed in a secure location,such as in a classroom with the door locked. It can be preferable tostay in that secured location until responding police or other emergencyofficials arrive and evacuate occupants from each location. Further, itcan be preferable for facility occupants to ultimately evacuate to alocation that is disposed a certain distance from the facility inlockdown, such as at a location that is not in the line of sight of thefacility and/or entrances/exits thereof.

In some such embodiments, the annunciator provides a loud and continuoustone for a period, such as approximately 10 to 15 seconds, followed by apre-recorded audio message of “lockdown, lockdown, lockdown,” and thenanother period (such as 10 to 15 seconds) of the continuous tone. Insome embodiments, this cycle repeats itself a number of times that issufficient to ensure (or provide a high likelihood) of the individualsat or in the vicinity of the facility hearing the alarm and beingquickly notified or otherwise understanding that the facility is inlockdown. In some of these embodiments, the cycle repeats itself threetimes, for a total duration of just over 60 to 90 seconds, beforeresetting itself, i.e., discontinuing the annunciation. It is beneficialthat some embodiments reset or otherwise cease the audible alarm after acertain number of cycles so that the audible signal ceases before firstresponders arrive at the facility to enhance or at least not impedecommunications between the first responders and to otherwise avoidunwanted confusion. However, all of the above aspects of theannunciation are merely provided for exemplary purposes, and embodimentsare intended to cover many additional and alternative types or aspectsof annunciation.

It may also be beneficial for the annunciator to be configured, orientedand/or disposed to facilitate resiliency, such as to impede beingtampered with or disabled as a direct or indirect result of thecircumstances that warranted, are related to, or are otherwise the causeof, initiation of the lockdown. In some of these embodiments, theannunciator is configured, oriented and/or disposed to prevent or impedebeing tampered with or otherwise being disabled by an individual whoseactions warrant, or are otherwise the cause of, the lockdown, such as anactive shooter.

b. Visual Indicator

As an alternative or in addition to the annunciators disclosed above,some embodiments include a visual indicator. Embodiments are intended toinclude any type of visual indicator that communicates initiation of thelockdown procedures to individuals at, or in the vicinity of, thefacility.

The visual indicators of some embodiments include a strobe that emitslight to communicate the lockdown to individuals at, or in the vicinityof, the facility. It may be beneficial for the light, e.g., strobe, tobe configured to provide light that is easily recognizable oridentifiable as indicating initiation of the lockdown, such as verybright light. In other words, the light can be provided to enhance swiftand effective recognition by facility occupants that a lockdownsituation has been initiated and to avoid confusion. Thus, as with theannunciators, it may be beneficial for the strobes or other visualindicators to be visually distinctive as compared to other relevantlights, such as a fire alarm strobes. For example, since fire alarmstrobes typically emit clear light, it may be beneficial for thelockdown strobes to emitted colored light. It may also be beneficial forthe strobes to be distinctive in other respects, such as by virtue oftheir disposition, orientation, etc., to enhance identification orrecognition.

In some such embodiments, the lockdown strobes emit light that matchesor is otherwise coordinated with other colors used in conjunction with,or otherwise relevant to, various aspects of the lockdown system. Forexample, the color of the strobe lights can be the same, substantiallythe same, or similar to, the color of all or portions of the actuator.In an exemplary embodiment where all or portions of the actuator, suchas the actuator button, is blue, then the strobe can emit blue light.Alternatively, in an embodiment where all or portions of the actuator,such as the actuator button, is green, then the strobe can emit greenlight.

It may be beneficial for some embodiments to adopt a color or a commoncolor that is different from colors of apparatus used for other orsimilar purposes in the facility. For example, if all or portions ofelements of the fire alarm in a certain facility are red and/or black,then it may be advantageous for the light emitted by the strobe to be adifferent color to avoid the confusion disclosed above. The same may betrue for other features of the disclosed lockdown system, including butnot limited to the actuator.

Adopting a common color scheme or theme may be beneficial for variousreasons. For example, facility occupants can be trained and/or otherwisebecome familiar with the common color scheme or theme to enable them tomore easily identify or recognize indication of a lockdown. As discussedabove, it may be especially beneficial to enable facility occupants todistinguish a lockdown from a fire alarm.

It may also be beneficial for the visual indicator to be configured,oriented and/or disposed to facilitate resiliency, such as to impedebeing tampered with or disabled as a direct or indirect result of thecircumstances that warranted, are related to, or are otherwise the causeof initiation of the lockdown. In some of these embodiments, the visualindicator is configured, oriented and/or disposed to prevent or impedebeing tampered with or otherwise being disabled by an individual whoseactions warrant or are otherwise the cause of the lockdown, such as anactive shooter.

Contrary to the annunciator, it may be beneficial for the visualindicator to not automatically reset itself. Continuing to emit lightcan be beneficial to communicate that the facility is still subject tolockdown procedures. However, the continued emission of light may notimpede or significantly impede efforts or communications with and amongresponding authorities, or at least may only impede those efforts to alesser degree than the annunciators. The continued emission of light,such as via the disclosed visual indicators, subsequent to cessation ofthe audible annunciations (audible alarms, warnings, etc.) may bebeneficial by communicating to facility occupants, respondingauthorities, etc., that a lockdown has occurred and/or may still beoccurring.

c. Other Mediums

As an alternative or in addition to the annunciators and visualindicators disclosed above, some embodiments include other types ofindicators or modes of communication. Embodiments are intended toinclude any type of other indicator using any medium that directly orindirectly communicates or facilitates communication of initiation ofthe lockdown procedures to individuals at, or in the vicinity of, thefacility.

For example, some embodiments include a vibration creation device thatcreates vibrations that can be perceived by individuals at, or in thevicinity of, the facility. These embodiments can be beneficial byproviding another medium through which individuals can be alerted of thelockdown, which may speed up or otherwise expedite recognition oridentification by those individuals of the lockdown. These embodimentsmay be especially beneficial for communicating initiation of lockdownprocedures to individuals who have some sort of sensory impairment, suchas those unable to recognize audible and/or visual alarms, or whoserecognition of these alarms is impaired. In some of these embodiments,the vibration creation device generates vibrations in a form or codethat helps to communicate the lockdown or sense of emergency. Forexample, the vibrations can be generated and transmitted in a code, suchas Morse Code, to communicate the emergency, such as SOS, i.e., dot dotdot, dash dash dash, dot dot dot.

However, the above vibration creation device is merely provided forexemplary purposes, and embodiments are intended to include any type ofother indicator or modes of communication that communicates orfacilitates communication of initiation of the lockdown procedures toindividuals at, or in the vicinity of, the facility. For example, avideo image can be provided that communicates the initiation of lockdownprocedures. The video image can be in any form that performs thisoperation, such as a video of sign language communicating the lockdown,which may be especially beneficial for hearing impaired facilityoccupants.

Thus, part of the communication of lockdown, in addition to theannunciation and lights, could be a video explaining that lockdownprocedures have initiated, and even performing this communication withsign language to benefit hearing impaired facility occupants. Someembodiments automatically play videos on screens, including permanentlyinstalled screens in the facility, and mobile screens such as mobilecommunication devices in the possession of facility occupants, e.g.,smart phones, etc., explaining lockdown procedures to facilityoccupants. For example, in some embodiments, the video communicates tofacility occupants to stay in a secured room and that authorities willbe arriving shortly.

Some of these embodiments can be supplemented to provide the facilityoccupants with information relevant to the actual lockdown situation,such as the time remaining until responding authorities arrive. Thisinformation, i.e., time remaining until authorities arrive, can bedetermined using various techniques. For example, the time forauthorities to arrive after being first notified can be predetermined,such as 5.5 minutes. The system can include a timer that initiatestiming upon first actuation of an actuator. The elapsed time since firstactuation of the actuator can then be subtracted from the predeterminedresponse time for responding authorities to arrive at the facility. Forexample, if the predetermined time for authorities to arrive after beingfirst notified is 5.5 minutes, and 3 minutes have elapsed since firstactuation, then it can be estimated that the responding authorities willarrive in approximately 2.5 minutes.

However, other embodiments determine response times differently. Forexample, some embodiments receive actual information from the respondingauthorities indicating their estimated time of arrival. For example,responding authorities can transmit to the system their estimated timeof arrival to the facility, and the system can then provide thisinformation to the facility occupants.

However, other embodiments allow responding authorities to communicateadditional or alternative information to the facility occupants. Forexample, in some embodiments, the responding authorities can communicatetheir position in the facility to the facility occupants, such as viathe screens or other communication devices disclosed herein. Thisinformation may be especially beneficial by allowing respondingauthorities to more fully inform facility occupants as to the state ofthe emergency, which may enable facility occupants to make betterdecisions that affect their safety.

Other information can be communicated to the facility occupants that mayprovide the facility occupants with helpful information that can be usedto make enhanced decisions that affect their safety. For example, videodata from areas within the facility can be communicated to the screensdisclosed above to enable the facility occupants to become informed asto the status of the emergency. This feature may be especiallybeneficial for facility occupants in lockdown, i.e., disposed in asecured location, who otherwise would have access to either noinformation or a limited amount of information, such as based solely onsounds that they can hear from their secured areas.

It may also be beneficial for the vibration creation device and/or otherdevices for communication of initiation of lockdown procedures to beconfigured, oriented and/or disposed to facilitate resiliency, such asto impede being tampered with or disabled as a direct or indirect resultof the circumstances that warranted, are related to, or are otherwisethe cause of, initiation of the lockdown. In some of these embodiments,the vibration creation device is configured, oriented and/or disposed toprevent or impede being tampered with or otherwise being disabled by anindividual whose actions warrant or are otherwise the cause of thelockdown, such as an active shooter.

d. Results of Communication

A significant purpose of communicating initiation of lockdown proceduresis to inform facility occupants of the lockdown so that they can makeenhanced decisions that affect their safety. For example, it will oftenbe beneficial for facility occupants to travel to and remain in asecured location until cessation of the lockdown.

However, communication of the lockdown may provide other advantages. Forexample, in certain emergency situations, communicating initiation oflockdown procedures may expedite resolution of the circumstanceswarranting the lockdown. For example, in certain circumstances, such asthose involving active shooters, the arrival of authorities at the sceneoften prompts the active shooters to terminate the violence, such as byfleeing or terminating themselves. Thus, under certain circumstances,communicating initiation of lockdown may itself illicit a response fromthe active shooters to terminate the violence, such as by fleeing orterminating themselves. In other words, the active shooters mayrecognize the urgency of their situation, i.e., that respondingauthorities are likely to arrive shortly, and terminate the violence.

In fact, some embodiments tailor the type or substance of thecommunication indicating initiation of lockdown procedures to illicitthis response. For example, some embodiments communicate to all facilityoccupants, including the active shooter, that responding authoritieswill be arriving shortly. In fact, some embodiments may providecommunications to the facility occupants, including the active shooter,that masquerade as communications from responding authorities orotherwise provide a false indication that authorities have alreadyarrived at the facility, in order to illicit this response form anactive shooter. However, it may be beneficial for these embodiments totailor any such communications to avoid or reduce confusion on the partof innocent facility occupants that could cause them to make decisionsthat jeopardize their safety.

2. Individuals Not Located at or in Proximity to the Facility inLockdown

Some embodiments include a communicator that communicates initiation ofthe lockdown procedures to individuals not located at or in proximity tothe facility in lockdown, as an alternative or in addition tocommunicating initiation of the lockdown procedures to individualslocated at or in proximity to the facility in lockdown. Theseembodiments are intended to include any type or configuration,orientation or disposition of communicator that is able to perform thisoperation, i.e., to communicate the initiation of lockdown procedures toindividuals not located at or in proximity to the facility in lockdown.The embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type ormedium of recognizable or identifiable communication, such ascommunications that can be recognized by an individual not located at orin proximity to the facility in lockdown, including individuals who aredirectly or indirectly tasked with officially or unofficially addressingthe circumstances warranting the lockdown, or otherwise taking actionrelevant to the lockdown.

Some of the apparatus or operations that communicate initiation of thelockdown procedures to individuals not located at or in proximity to thefacility in lockdown, include electronics, software, telecommunicationsequipment, etc., that perform this operation via voice messaging, textmessaging, SMS, etc., utilizing hard-wired, wireless, and/or othertechnologies. In accordance with some of these embodiments, individualsnot located at or in proximity to the facility in lockdown, includingindividuals who are directly or indirectly tasked with officially orunofficially addressing the circumstances warranting the lockdown, arecontacted via telecommunications. For example, appropriate authorities,such as police, fire and emergency responders, medical personnel andother healthcare providers, etc., can be contacted using a recorded orotherwise predetermined message indicating that a certain facility is inlockdown. Alternatively or additionally, other types of messages can besent to the appropriate authorities to ensure receipt of thecommunication.

Some embodiments of the communicators include apparatus and methods forensuring safe and effective transmission of the communication to theappropriate authorities. For example, as an alternative or in additionto using the phone wires or lines for the communication, wirelesstransmitters can be used that perform the communication wirelessly.Wireless transmission of the communication can be beneficial to thwart,address, or otherwise overcome certain attempts to impede transmissionof the communication, such as by cutting or otherwise disablingtransmission along the phone or telecommunications wires or lines. Infact, some of the embodiments utilizing wireless transmissions includeapparatus and methods for preventing, addressing, or overcoming theunwanted, illegal or otherwise intentional jamming or impedance of thewireless transmissions.

As indicated above, some of the recipients of the communication caninclude appropriate authorities, such as police, fire and emergencyresponders, medical personnel and other healthcare providers, etc. Someor all of these appropriate authorities are tasked with addressing thecircumstances warranting the initiation of the lockdown. For example,the police responders may be tasked with neutralizing the shooter in thecontext of an active shooter situation, while responding medicalpersonnel may be tasked with treating or otherwise addressing injuriescaused by the circumstances warranting the initiation of the lockdown.

However, some embodiments also provide communications to individuals notlocated at or in proximity to the facility in lockdown, and who are notdirectly or indirectly tasked with officially or unofficially addressingthe circumstances warranting the lockdown. In other words, some of theseembodiments provide a communication to individuals who, while not taskedwith addressing these circumstances, can play a role in facilitatingmore favorable outcomes. For example, it may be beneficial to informrelevant transportation officials, such as bus drivers, of a lockdown ata school. Receipt of this communication could enable the bus drivers tomake decisions that facilitate favorable outcomes, such as by nottransporting students or other individuals to a school currently underlockdown, such as students on their way to school, returning to schoolsuch as from a field trip, sports teams traveling to the school to orfrom a sporting event, etc. These actions may be advantageous forvarious reasons, such as by preventing or reducing exposure of thoseaffected students and other individuals to the potentially dangerouscircumstances giving rise to the lockdown, and by isolating the facilityunder lockdown, which can be beneficial for other or additional reasons,such as by not impeding efforts of responding authorities.

It may be beneficial to provide communications to still others who arenot tasked with addressing these circumstances, and who cannot even playa role in facilitating more favorable outcomes at the facility inlockdown. For example, it may be beneficial for off-site schooladministrators to be informed of a lockdown at a school under theadministrator's jurisdiction, which may facilitate investigative effortssubsequent to resolution of the circumstances warranting the lockdown.

It may similarly be beneficial for facility occupants to be informed ofa lockdown at a different but related facility. For example, it may bebeneficial for teachers, staff members, and/or administrators atdifferent schools to be informed of a lockdown at a nearby school.Informing individuals at schools that are located in the same region asthe school in lockdown may not only facilitate isolation of the schoolin lockdown, but also may provide a warning that the other schools maybe at greater risk of experiencing, or being subjected to, circumstancesthat are the same or similar to those warranting the lockdown. Thus,this operation may provide or form a part of an early warning system. Asone example, this warning can be used by the other schools to enhanceswift recognition or identification of similar incidents, such ascoordinated attacks on multiple schools in a region.

However, the above embodiment directed to schools disposed in a commonregion is only provided for exemplary purposes, and embodiments areintended to include or otherwise cover other applications where it maybe beneficial for facilities to be notified of a lockdown in a differentfacility. For example, this operation could be provided in the contextsof libraries, museums, malls, post offices, airports, bus terminals,train stations, similar state or federal governmental facilities, etc.In one such embodiment, all libraries within a certain region would benotified in the event of an incident at a library within the region.

C. Other Apparatus and Methods Effective at Lockdown Initiation

Some of the above and/or other embodiments include other methods andapparatus that are effective or otherwise implemented upon initiation oflockdown. Some of these other methods and apparatus are disclosed belowfor exemplary purposes, and the following is not intended to constitutean exhaustive listing of all such other methods and apparatus. In fact,embodiments are intended to include any beneficial methods and apparatusthat are effective or otherwise implemented upon initiation of lockdown.

It may be beneficial in certain circumstances to lock certain doors uponinitiation of lockdown. For example, locking facility entrance doors maybe beneficial in order to prevent entry of a certain individual relatedto the circumstances giving rise to the lockdown, such as an activeshooter. Preventing entry of an active shooter into the facility wouldobviously enhance the safety of facility occupants. It may also bebeneficial to lock certain facility internal doors upon initiation of alockdown, such as to isolate an active shooter within the facility fromfacility occupants. For example, in the context of a school, it may bebeneficial to lock classroom doors, as well as other relevant internaldoors, such as doors to music rooms, gymnasiums, offices, etc.

Thus, some embodiments include methods and apparatus to accomplish thelocking of such doors. In some of these embodiments, certain facilityoccupants are instructed to manually lock the doors. However, otherembodiments include methods and apparatus for automatically locking thedoors. In some of these embodiments, upon initiation of lockdown, asignal is generated and transmitted to door locks that are configured toautomatically lock upon receipt of the signal.

In some of these embodiments, including both the manually andautomatically actuated locks, the locks are configured to allowoccupants to exit, but are locked to prevent entry into the space. Thisfeature may be especially beneficial in situations where occupants needto exit the space for various reasons (e.g., to enhance safety of theoccupants) such as in the context of a fire. However, locking the doorsto prevent entrance into the space enhances safety because it preventsan individual related to the circumstances warranting the lockdown, suchas an active shooter, from entering the space.

In addition or as an alternative, other embodiments include othermethods and apparatus that are effective or otherwise implemented uponinitiation of lockdown. For example, some embodiments include doors thatautomatically close upon initiation of a lockdown. These doors caninclude, but are not limited to fire doors, i.e., doors thatautomatically close in case of fire to facilitate fire containment andmitigation. Some of the doors of these embodiments also include locksthat automatically lock upon initiation of the lockdown ort shortlythereafter.

These embodiments may be especially beneficial for various reasons. Forexample, closing and in some cases also locking the doors helps toisolate facility occupants from an individual related to thecircumstances warranting the lockdown, such as an active shooter. Infact, locking such an individual in a certain space may not only isolatethe active shooter from all facility occupants, but may also detain theactive shooter and thereby facilitate the responding authorities inneutralizing the active shooter.

In addition or as alternative to the above disclosures, some embodimentsfocus on further hardening or strengthening the facilityentrances/exits. For example, some embodiments always maintain some orall of the entrances/exits in a locked condition, and require thatindividuals obtain authorization prior to entry. Embodiments areintended to include or otherwise cover any methods and apparatus forimplementing this authorization requirement, such as via audio and/orvisual equipment (i.e., camera, intercoms, etc.). Some other relatedembodiments only maintain some or all of the entrances/exits in a lockedcondition at certain times, such as periods in which the facility isdeemed at risk. For example, in the context of a school environment,some of these embodiments unlock some or all of the entrances/exits forperiods in which a large number of students enter and exit the school(such as at the beginning and end of the school day), and maintain theentrances/exits in a locked condition for the remainder of the schoolday, i.e., the period in which school is in session.

Still other embodiments provide additional or alternative hardening orstrengthening techniques for the facility entrances/exits. For example,some embodiments provide bulletproof and/or blastproof facilityentrances/exits for the purpose of impeding or preventing entry into thefacility of unauthorized personnel, such as an active shooter. In fact,an entrance location such as a vestibule, can be provided that issurrounded by locked or otherwise hardened entrances/exits (such asbulletproof and/or blastproof entrances/exits), and the authorizationprocess can be performed in the secured vestibule. Thus, if anindividual fails the authorization process, then facility officials areprovided with the opportunity to contact authorities who are tasked withthe facility security.

II. Procedures Subsequent to Initiation/Communication of Lockdown

Embodiments are intended to include various methods and apparatus forfacilitating procedures to be taken subsequent toinitiation/communication of a lockdown situation, including the lockdownprocedures themselves. A few exemplary methods and apparatus aresummarized below for exemplary purposes, and are not intended to beconstrued as a mandatory or exhaustive listing of such methods andapparatus. Embodiments are intended to include all known, related art,and/or later developed technologies for implementing any and all of theoperations disclosed below and elsewhere in the disclosure in thecontext of procedures to be taken subsequent to initiation/communicationof a lockdown situation.

A few exemplary methods and apparatus are disclosed below in thecontexts of: 1) individuals located at or in proximity to the facilityin lockdown; and 2) individuals not located at or in proximity to thefacility in lockdown. However, these characterizations are merelyprovided for exemplary purposes, and are not intended to be limiting inany way. For example, some of the methods and apparatus that aredisclosed in the context of individuals located at one of the twolocations can also, or alternatively, be applied to individuals locatedat the other location.

A. Individuals Located at or in Proximity to the Facility in Lockdown

Some of the embodiments include methods and apparatus that are directedto individuals located at or in proximity to the facility in lockdown.In other words, these methods and apparatus may be beneficial toindividuals located at or in proximity to the facility in lockdown, suchas by enhancing the safety and security of those individuals in apotentially dangerous situation, including but not limited to asituation warranting a facility lockdown. Some of the embodiments aredisclosed below in the context of a school placed in lockdown, such asin the case of an active shooter situation. However, all or some of thedisclosed methods and apparatus can be applied in other, and in somecases completely different, types of facilities and contexts.

1. Basic Lockdown Procedures

Some of the disclosed methods and apparatus directly or indirectlyrelate to facilitating procedures to be taken by facility occupants (orothers located in the vicinity of the facility) subsequent toinitiation/communication of a lockdown situation, including the lockdownprocedures themselves. However, the following explanation of lockdownprocedures is merely provided for exemplary purposes, and is notintended to be an exhaustive listing of all such procedures. In fact,embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover apparatus andmethods relating to any potentially beneficial procedures.

One aspect of lockdown procedures that is relevant to some of thedisclosed embodiments involves the sheltering in place by facilityoccupants, and thus some embodiments include methods and apparatus forfacilitating facility occupants to shelter in place. It is typicallymost beneficial in lockdown situations, such as those involving anactive shooter, to shelter in place, which involves staying in alocation that is not accessible, or at least not easily accessible, tothe individual related to the circumstances giving rise to the lockdown,who for convenience is referred to below as an active shooter. However,as explained above, the disclosed methods and apparatus are applicablein other situations.

In many circumstances, such as those involving an active shooter, it maybe beneficial to immediately shelter in place upon initiation oflockdown procedures. Time may be of the essence in these situations, andfacility occupants may only have a very brief period to shelter in placeand thereby avoid injury or death. Sheltering in place is often the onlyappropriate course of action, and other behavior, such as confronting anindividual whose action prompted the lockdown, such as an activeshooter, often results in injury or death. Investigating the cause ofthe lockdown, such as the sounds of firearms discharge that can bemistaken for firecrackers, can be misguided and expose the personperforming the investigation to increased risk of injury or death. Inthe vast majority of situations, it is imperative to shelter in placeimmediately upon initiation of lockdown procedures in order to reduce,mitigate or avoid injuries to facility occupants.

It is often beneficial to shelter in place at a location or roomproximate to the facility occupant at the time of initiation of thelockdown. For example, in the context of a school, it would bebeneficial for individuals located in in or just outside of a classroomat the initiation of the lockdown to take refuge in the classroom. Oncein the classroom, it is beneficial to secure the room against entry bythe active shooter, such as by locking the classroom door. Locking thedoor enhances safety and/or security of the classroom occupants byisolating them from the active shooter.

It is possible that the active shooter may discharge a weapon, such as afirearm, at the door upon being denied entry based on its lockedcondition. Thus, while in the locked classroom, it may be beneficial forthe classroom occupants to stay in a location that it not in the line ofsight of the locked classroom door, or windows proximate the door, toavoid injuries resulting from the weapon's discharge at or around thedoor. In fact, it may be beneficial for the occupants to assume aposition within the classroom away from or otherwise out of the line ofsight from other locations that may be the target of weapon's discharge,or areas that can be penetrated by weapon's discharge such as drywall,etc.

Sheltering in place in a secure location, such as a locked classroom,can be the safest course of action in numerous circumstances, such asactive shooter situations. Depending on the school location, respondingauthorities are typically able to arrive on the scene within a fewminutes, such as within five to seven minutes. Contrary to popularbelief, which is promulgated by fictional accounts, such as in movies,it is very difficult for an individual, such as an active shooter, toforcibly enter a classroom through a locked door. Discharging a firearmat a lock, hinge, or other portion of the door typically fails toachieve the desired result, i.e., to enable entry, and will often makeentry even more difficult, such as by jamming the locking mechanism.Further, attempts at such forcible entry often take time, and in manycases responding authorities may be able to arrive on the scene beforeforcible entry can be achieved. In certain past incidents where activeshooters were denied entry based on a locked door, they chose to notspend time discharging firearms and attempting to forcibly enter thelocked room, and instead moved on to other parts of the facilitiespresumably based on the limited time available until arrival of theauthorities tasked with addressing the lockdown.

It is beneficial to shelter in place as disclosed above untiltermination of the lockdown or other instructions provided by respondingauthorities. For example, following a lockdown, such as in the case ofan active shooter situation, many responding authorities follow aprocedure of evacuating each classroom in a piecemeal manner, such as byevacuating the classrooms one at a time. This procedure is implementedfor various reasons, such as because it is easier for respondingauthorities to protect a smaller number of evacuating occupants througha controlled evacuation.

In accordance with this procedure, responding authorities identifythemselves outside of the locked door of each classroom, and instructthe occupants to unlock the door and allow them entry. The authoritiesthen instruct the occupants to evacuate the school, and may provideguidance and/or an escort through the evacuation.

In accordance with certain lockdown procedures, facility occupants aretrained to not unlock the door or otherwise provide access to theclassroom, even if the responding authorities identify themselves, toavoid situations where an active shooter provides a false identificationand thereby gains access to the classroom. However, this trainedprocedure may not provide significant advantages because of thedifficulty in misleading classroom occupants, which is supported by alack of evidence of this situation actually ever occurring in an activeshooter situation. In fact, this trained procedure may bedisadvantageous because it forces responding authorities to forciblyenter each locked classroom, thereby causing property damage anddelaying evacuation. In fact, the action of responding authoritiesforcibly entering classrooms increases the overall level of violence,potentially prompting the active shooter to also escalate the violence.

It may be beneficial to evacuate facility occupants to a location out ofthe line of sight of the facility (such as a school), and/orentrances/exits thereof. Evacuating to a more remote or otherwise lessobservable location, from the perspective of the school'sentrances/exits, enhances safety by further isolating the facilityoccupants from the active shooter. For example, the facility occupantsdisposed at this location would be safer from weapons' dischargesoccurring within the facility, or from an active shooter exiting theschool.

2. Response Time Versus Duration of Safety Zone

As disclosed above, depending on the facility location (such as aschool), responding authorities are typically able to arrive on thescene within a few minutes, such as within five to seven minutes. Thus,in certain past incidents where active shooters were denied entry basedon a locked door, they chose to not spend time discharging firearms andattempting to forcibly enter the locked room, and instead moved on toother parts of the facilities presumably based on the limited timeavailable until arrival of the authorities tasked with addressing thelockdown, which as indicated above is typically five to seven minutes.

However, response time is often determined based on facility location,and thus some embodiments determine lockdown procedures based on acomparison between: 1) the response time of authorities, i.e., how longit takes responding authorities to arrive at a facility after beingnotified of the lockdown; and 2) predicted duration of safety for afacility occupant to shelter in place in a given location, such as aroom with secured access. For example, it is important for facilityoccupants to be safe at the location in which they are to shelter inplace for a period that is longer than the period for respondingauthorities to arrive at the facility upon being notified of thelockdown. Thus, some embodiments determine certain aspects of thelockdown procedures based at least in part on this comparison. Some ofthese embodiments include methods and apparatus for facilitatingoccupant safety by using the above comparison.

As one example, in some rural areas, it may take a relatively longperiod for responding authorities to arrive at the facility followinglockdown notification, such as 30 minutes. In this case, it would beimportant for the facility occupants to shelter in place at a locationwhere it would take an active shooter longer than 30 minutes to gainaccess. Thus, it may not be acceptable to shelter in place in a locationthat would only be acceptable for a shorter response time, such as in alocked school classroom that can only be expected to prevent forcibleentry for approximately ten minutes.

Instead, other or additional procedures may need to be implemented toenhance facility occupant safety and/or security. For example, occupantsmay initially shelter in place at a location that may only providetemporary safety (i.e., safety for a period less than that necessary forresponding authorities to arrive), and then follow additionalprocedures. For example, the classroom occupants may evacuate theclassroom and ultimately the exit the facility through a back door orwindow. Alternatively, the classroom occupants may shelter in place atanother secured location within the classroom, such as within a securedstorage area, bathroom, etc., which may provide additional time forresponding authorities to arrive.

As another alternative, procedures can be implemented where facilityoccupants in this situation do not shelter in place at more convenientor otherwise normally desirable locations, such as within classrooms.Instead, these convenient locations may be deemed too insecure, and thefacility occupants may be directed to shelter in place at locations thatare more secure, such as within a strengthened safe room. In someembodiments, the safe room is strengthened such that it would takelonger for an active shooter to gain access to the occupants therein ascompared to more convenient locations (such as standard classrooms), andthus provide safety for a sufficient period to enable respondingauthorities to arrive in time to impede, reduce or prevent casualties.

The above disclosures are merely provided for exemplary purposes, andembodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any beneficialmethods and apparatus that include or otherwise utilize the comparisonbetween: 1) the response time of authorities, i.e., how long it takesresponding authorities to arrive at a facility after being notified ofthe lockdown; and 2) predicted duration of safety for a facilityoccupant to shelter in place in a given location, such as a room withsecured access. For example, some methods and apparatus relate tostrengthening or otherwise isolating certain rooms, and base the levelof strengthening on the predicted response time of authorities, whileother or additional methods and apparatus can be used to delay an activeshooter or other individual in still other ways.

3. Response Based on Immediacy and Context of Danger

Some embodiments include methods and apparatus provided in addition, oras an alternative, to the basic procedures disclosed above relating toprocedures taken by facility occupants (or others located in thevicinity of the facility) subsequent to initiation/communication of alockdown. However, the following explanation of additional oralternative lockdown procedures is merely provided for exemplarypurposes, and is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all suchother additional or alternative procedures. In fact, embodiments areintended to include or otherwise cover any other apparatus and methodsrelating to any potentially beneficial additional or alternativeprocedures.

Some of the above embodiments determine procedures based on a comparisonbetween: 1) the response time of authorities, i.e., how long it takesresponding authorities to arrive at a facility after being notified ofthe lockdown; and 2) predicted duration of safety for a facilityoccupant to shelter in place in a given location, such as a room withsecured access. However, alternatively or additionally to the above,other embodiments determine procedures based on other criteria, some ofwhich are disclosed below for exemplary purposes. The below disclosureis merely provided for exemplary purposes, and is not intended to be anexhaustive listing of all such other criteria.

Some embodiments determine procedures based on the immediacy and contextof danger to which certain facility occupants are exposed. The immediacyand context of such danger can be categorized into any number ofgroupings, and facility occupants can be trained or otherwise instructedto follow certain procedures depending on the grouping. In some of theseembodiments, some or all of the instructed or trained procedures foreach category are different.

As one such example, facility occupants can be categorized as being inone of three zones, i.e., hot zone, warm zone, and cold zone, that areeach defined based on the immediacy and context of danger to which thefacility occupants are exposed. These zones can be defined differentlydepending on the embodiment. In one exemplary embodiment, the hot zonecan be defined as an area in which the facility occupants are inimmediate or imminent danger of injury or death, such as within a shortdistance of an active shooter, e.g., within the same room as the activeshooter or located close to the active shooter. Contrarily, the warmzone may be defined as an area in which the facility occupants are verylikely to be in danger of injury or death within a relatively shortperiod, such as within a few seconds. An exemplary warm zone may be anarea located down the hall or around a corner from an active shooter. Acold zone may be defined as an area in which the facility occupants maybe in danger of injury or death within a relatively longer period, suchas a period longer than just a few seconds. An exemplary cold zone maybe an area located on a different floor from an active shooter.

However, other embodiments define these zones differently. For example,some embodiments define these zones based on the type of emergency. Insome of these embodiments that focus on active shooters, the zones aredefined based on the range of the active shooter's weapons. For example,the hot zone can be defined as being within close or point blank rangeof the weapon, while the warm zone can be defined as being located at adistance that is basely in range, or at the edge of the range, of theactive shooter's weapon. The cold zone may then be defined as outside ofthe range of the active shooter's weapon.

The above exemplary embodiment focuses on an active shooter situation,such as involving a firearm. However, other embodiments define the zonesbased on other types of weapons, including more powerful or devastatingtypes of weapons, such as explosives. In embodiments that involve thesetypes of more devastating weapons, the zones may be defined verydifferently than disclosed above with regard to firearms. For example,many or all occupants of a facility may be defined within the hot zonein the context of an explosive.

Some other embodiments define the zones based on a combination of theabove or other criteria. For example, the zones can be defined based onboth temporal issues (amount of time or immediacy of danger) andweapons' range issues.

As indicated above, some embodiments include or otherwise cover methodsand apparatus where facility occupants are to follow certain proceduresdepending on the zone, i.e., where some or all of the procedures of theone zone are different from those of the other zones. A few suchexamples are provided below in the contexts of hot, warm, and coldzones.

For example, it may be beneficial for occupants in the hot zone toimmediately flee from this zone, for the purpose of ultimatelysheltering in place or evacuating from the facility. This responseshould occur immediately upon either: 1) initiation of the lockdown(e.g., upon communication of the lockdown situation); or 2) recognitionof the circumstances warranting the lockdown. Immediately fleeing thehot zone may be the most effective procedure in many emergencyscenarios, such as to quickly move away from an active shooter toincrease chances of avoiding injury or death. It is typically preferablefor a facility occupant to not confront an active shooter or attempt toneutralize the active shooter, and instead it is typically morebeneficial to flee the hot zone. It is also typically preferable to notattempt to actuate an actuator to initiate the lockdown, unless able todo so safely and quickly, while in the hot zone, and instead asindicated above, it is typically preferable to flee the hot zone.

It may be beneficial for occupants in the warm zone to immediatelyshelter in place in accordance with the procedures outlined above in thecontext of basic lockdown procedures. Also, under certain circumstances,it may be sufficiently safe and otherwise appropriate to actuate anactuator to initiate the lockdown while in the warm zone. However, asindicated above, in the vast majority of situations, it is imperative toshelter in place immediately upon initiation of lockdown procedures inorder to reduce, mitigate or avoid injuries to facility occupants. It isoften beneficial to shelter in place at a location or room proximate tothe facility occupant at the time of initiation of the lockdown. Forexample, in the context of a school, it would be beneficial forindividuals located in in or just outside of a classroom at theinitiation of the lockdown to take refuge in the classroom. Once in theclassroom, it is beneficial to secure the room against entry by theactive shooter, such as by locking the classroom door. Locking the doorenhances safety and/or security of the classroom occupants by isolatingthem from the active shooter.

It may also be beneficial for occupants in the cold zone to shelter inplace in accordance with the procedures outlined above in the context ofbasic lockdown procedures. It is typically sufficiently safe andotherwise appropriate to actuate an actuator to initiate the lockdownwhile in the cold zone. Similarly to the warm zone, it is important toshelter in place upon initiation of lockdown procedures in order toreduce, mitigate or avoid injuries to facility occupants, even thoughthe requirement may not be as urgent in the cold zone as compared to thewarm zone. It is still beneficial to shelter in place at a location orroom proximate to the facility occupant at the time of initiation of thelockdown, although an occupant may be able to safely travel a longerdistance to reach the shelter in place location as compared to the warmzone. For example, in the context of a school, it would be beneficialfor individuals located in or reasonably near a classroom at theinitiation of the lockdown to take refuge in the classroom. Once in theclassroom, it is beneficial to secure the room against entry by theactive shooter, such as by locking the classroom door. Locking the doorenhances safety and/or security of the classroom occupants by isolatingthem from the active shooter.

The above embodiments are merely provided for exemplary purposes, andembodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover many otherprocedures, including any other number of zones, other characterizationsof zones, different procedures to be followed in the zones, etc.

4. Communications During Lockdown

Some of the disclosed embodiments include methods and apparatus forenabling certain types of communications and/or communications betweencertain individuals upon initiation of lockdown procedures. Someembodiments provide these communication features in addition to some ofthe features and embodiments discussed above, while other embodimentsprovide these communication features as an alternative to some or all ofthe features and embodiments discussed above.

Some of these embodiments include methods and apparatus for enablingcertain facility occupants to communicate with certain otherindividuals. Some such embodiments include methods and apparatus thatenables certain facility occupants to communicate with authoritiesresponding to the lockdown. Some of these embodiments provide a directline of communication between certain facility occupants and respondingauthorities immediately after initiation of lockdown, or shortlythereafter. This direct line of communication can be providedautomatically, or can be implemented manually, such as by the facilityoccupants and/or responding authorities. In some embodiments, thiscommunication can be provided through a common line, such that all ofthe relevant facility occupants and responding authorities are privy toall of the information and have a common ability to add and receiveinformation.

This direct line of communication may be beneficial because it expeditesreceipt of the information by the responding authorities, and providesthe responding authorities with firsthand information, which may be moreaccurate than information provided through an intermediary. However,this direct line of communication may be confusing or unwieldy, such asmay occur if too many individuals attempt to provide information at thesame time. Thus, some embodiments do not provide such a direct line ofcommunication, and instead provide an indirect line of communicationbetween the facility occupants and the responding authorities. Thisindirect line of communication may be beneficial by enabling anintermediary, such as a police dispatcher, 911 operator, etc., to redactunnecessary or unhelpful information and thereby provide the respondingauthorities with more clear and helpful information.

In the context of a school, teachers and other school officials can beprovided with methods and apparatus for communicating with respondingauthorities, and thus have the ability to provide information to theresponding authorities that may be very helpful to facilitate themneutralizing the circumstances warranting the lockdown, such asinformation regarding an active shooter, i.e., description, location,disposition, etc. This communication may also be helpful to facilitateswift and/or effective evacuation of the facility. For example, asdisclosed above, under certain circumstances, facility occupantssheltering in place may be uncertain as to whether they should unlock adoor during the lockdown upon receiving instructions to do so fromresponding authorities.

In some such cases, the facility occupants are unable to verify whetherthe instructions to unlock the door are being provided by authorizedpersonnel (e.g., responding authorities), or alternatively from anactive shooter attempting to gain entry into the secured space. Thus,the communications disclosed above may be helpful in enabling thefacility occupants in lockdown to verify that the instructions to unlockthe door are actually being provided by authorized personnel, therebyallowing the facility occupants to more swiftly and efficiently unlockthe door, and in some cases obviating the responding personnel fromforcibly entering the space, such as by breaking down the door.

This communication may also be helpful by enabling the respondingauthorities to provide a variety of different types of relevantinformation to the facility occupants, such as information that may behelpful to facilitate their safety. For example, responding authoritiescan inform the facility occupants as to their estimated time of arrivalat the facility so that the facility occupants understand how long theywill need to shelter in place, which may affect their decisions as toacceptable locations for sheltering in place. The responding authoritiescan also provide the facility occupants with other types of information,such as instructions for sheltering in place, evacuating the facility,etc. Teachers and other school officials can be provided with similarmethods and apparatus for communicating with relevant on-site personnel,such as security personnel assigned to the facility at issue.

Some of these and other embodiments include methods and apparatus forenabling certain facility occupants to communicate with other facilityoccupants. For example, in the school context, these embodiments enableteachers or other school officials to communicate with each other, whichmay be beneficial for a variety of reasons. For example, thiscommunication may be helpful in enabling the teachers or other schoolofficials to enhance efforts to safely shelter in place. Certainteachers or school officials may thereby direct other facility occupantsto better locations to shelter in place depending on the circumstancesof the lockdown, or may inform other facility occupants as to thelocation of an active shooter to thereby direct facility occupantslocated nearby to adopt a disposition to enhance their safety.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any methods andapparatus for implementing the above types of communication. In someembodiments, these types of communication are implemented viacommunication devices that are statically disposed at certain locationsin the facility, such as in the classrooms and front office of a school.These embodiments may be beneficial by avoiding confusion as to thelocation of the communication devices, i.e., facility occupants may beaccustomed to the location.

In other embodiments, these types of communications are provided viawireless devices that are mobile. For example, the wireless devices canbe dedicated to providing these types of communications, and thus haveno other function. Some of these embodiments are configured to enablethe wireless devices to be easily carried on the person of the facilityoccupants, such as by being worn around the neck as a necklace or aroundthe wrist as a bracelet, clipped onto a belt or security card, etc.Alternatively, the wireless devices can form a part of another device,and thus constitute a multi-function device. In accordance with some ofthese embodiments, the wireless device is a smart phone, iPad, iPod,portable computer, or any other such device. In some of theseembodiments, the communication ability can be provided via anapplication.

In some embodiments, any or all of the communication devices disclosedabove can additionally be configured to facilitate communication ofinitiation of the lockdown. Thus, the communication device of theseembodiments is configured to also operate as the first type ofcommunication device disclosed in the preceding sections. In otherwords, these embodiments provide a dual-use communication device thatnot only notifies facility occupants of the initiation of the lockdown,but also enables any or all of the additional types of communicationdisclosed above.

The communication devices of still other embodiments includes any or allof the features and types of communications disclosed above, as well asother functionalities. For example, the communication device may alsoprovide the facility occupants with information relating to the type orcause of the lockdown, status of the lockdown, and/or any otherinformation that may be relevant to the facility occupants and/or theresponding authorities. In addition, the communication device may alsobe configured to operate as an actuator. For example, the communicationdevice may be configured to enable a facility occupant to initiate thelockdown, and thus also operate as either a static or mobile actuator.

B. Individuals Not Located at or in Proximity to the Facility inLockdown

Some of the embodiments include methods and apparatus that are directedto individuals not located at or in proximity to the facility inlockdown, and these methods and apparatus may be beneficial for variousreasons. For example, these apparatus and methods may be beneficial byfacilitating the tasks of responding authorities in addressing thecircumstances giving rise to the lockdown, such as by: 1) neutralizingan active shooter; 2) reducing, mitigating, or preventing facilityoccupant casualties; 3) enhancing the safety of the respondingauthorities, etc. These apparatus and methods may also be beneficial toindividuals who are not directly or indirectly tasked with officially orunofficially addressing the circumstances warranting the lockdown,regardless of whether these individuals can play a role in facilitatingmore favorable outcomes at the facility in lockdown. Some of theseindividuals can facilitate more favorable outcomes at the facility inlockdown (including bus drivers who can be directed to avoidingtransporting potential victims to the facility), while others cannotprovide any benefit to the facility in lockdown (including occupants ofother related facilities that may be subject to similar circumstancesand thus should be placed on a heightened state of alert).

Some of the embodiments are disclosed below in the context of a schoolplaced in lockdown, such as in the case of an active shooter situation.However, all or some of the disclosed methods and apparatus can beapplied in other, and in some cases completely different, types offacilities and contexts.

1. Authorities Addressing Circumstances Giving Rise to Lockdown

Some of the embodiments include methods and apparatus for facilitatingthe tasks of responding authorities in addressing the circumstancesgiving rise to the lockdown and/or the aftermath thereof, such as by: 1)neutralizing an active shooter; 2) reducing, mitigating, or preventingfacility occupant casualties; 3) enhancing the safety of the respondingauthorities, etc.

Some of these embodiments include any and all of the methods andapparatus disclosed above, such as those disclosed in the context ofbenefiting facility occupants, that may be used to perform thisoperation, i.e., facilitating the tasks of responding authorities inaddressing the circumstances giving rise to the lockdown. For example,some of these embodiments include methods and apparatus that enable theresponding authorities to address locked doors, including entrance andinternal doors, which may have been either manually or automaticallylocked based upon the initiation of the lockdown. Some of theseembodiments enable these doors to be unlocked, either directly by theresponding authorities or by others to assist the respondingauthorities. In some such embodiments, the responding authorities areprovided with an apparatus to easily unlock automatically locked doors,such as via electrical or electro-magnetic actuators, security cards,etc. In some of these or other embodiments, certain of these doors canbe automatically unlocked from a remote location, such as at a situationcommand center, at the request of the responding authorities.

Some of these embodiments include methods and apparatus for enabling theresponding authorities to communicate with certain facility occupants,such as facility occupants sheltering in place, for a variety ofreasons. For example, this communication may enable the facilityoccupants to provide the responding authorities with information thatmay be helpful in addressing the circumstances giving rise to thelockdown and/or the aftermath thereof. Some of these any/or otherembodiments may provide the responding authorities with other helpfulinformation or intelligence, such as video and/or audio data of certainrelevant facility locations.

Some embodiments include any and all methods and apparatus thatfacilitate responding authorities to otherwise perform their tasks ofaddressing the circumstances giving rise to the lockdown and/or theaftermath thereof. A few such tasks and operations of respondingauthorities are provided below for exemplary purposes, but the belowlisting is not intended to be an exhaustive disclosure of all tasks andoperations covered by or otherwise related to these embodiments.

In various types of emergencies, such as those involving an activeshooter, the strategy of responding authorities involves immediateaction and quick deployment to stop harmful or deadly actions by theperpetrator. Delaying such deployment in these situations may result inadditional casualties. Thus, some embodiments provide methods andapparatus for facilitating this rapid and effective deployment.

Patrol officers of a local police department are often the firstresponders in these situations, and need to make a rapid assessment ofthe situation, communicate the problem to headquarters and otherresponding officers, establish command/control, and form up for theactive shooter response and/or hasty emergency rescue response, ifnecessary. One officer at the scene needs to immediately assume commandas an incident commander and maintain command until relieved by a higherauthority.

Additional responding officers arriving at the scene fall under thecontrol of the incident commander, start containing an inner perimeter,evacuate and carefully observe citizens leaving the facility, and directthem to an evacuation site, which needs to be immediately set up andsupervised by police and school support personnel. Police at theevacuation site need to maintain communications with officers at theperimeter and officers who have formed up and entered the facility asactive shooter teams or rescue teams.

Other support for the crisis will begin arriving shortly after thearrival of the first responders, and needs to assist and compliment theresponse and not interfere with the coordinated response. Emergencyresponse protocols can then be implemented, including establishing acommand post, outer perimeter, traffic control plan, staging area, andrequesting resources.

The responding authorities in active shooter situations need to performa number of critical tasks, including establishing commoncommunications, which can be facilitated using any of the methods andapparatus disclosed herein. A “kill” or “frozen” zone also needs to beidentified before an inner perimeter can be established, taking intoaccount that the inner perimeter may change until the shooter iscontained. An inner perimeter then needs to be established, and followon officers need to reinforce the inner perimeter and assist in theevacuation of facility occupants to the evacuation site. An outerperimeter then needs to be established, such as to prevent unauthorizedindividuals (e.g., family members of facility occupants) from enteringthe facility or crisis site. The outer perimeter can also be used toinclude a traffic diversion capability to re-route traffic around thefacility or crisis site, which may be beneficial in numerous respects,such as by preventing congestion that may delay emergency response. Acommand post should be established (even if temporary) to facilitate thebeginning of organized command and control of the incident. The commandpost can be moved to different locations as the situation begins tostabilize. A staging area needs to be established at a location that iseasy to access within the outer perimeter, and is a location where allresponding resources are sent as soon as it is established. Additionalresources that may be needed should be included in an emergency plan asa checklist, and may include: SWAT personnel, hostage negotiators,emergency trauma personnel, rapid deployment force personnel,prosecutors office assistance, fire service support, local BLS support,victim services personnel, media coordinators, evidence responsepersonnel, etc.

It may be beneficial for responding authorities to implement thefollowing steps in order when responding to active shootersituations: 1) communications center (in some cases headquarters)communicates to patrol units, advises of the problem with preliminaryinformation, or the incident is observed by officers near the scene andcommunicated to headquarters; 2) first responding patrol officers arriveon the scene and make observations; 3) a patrol supervisor or seniorpatrol officer is designated as the incident commander and remains theincident commander until relieved; 4) the incident commander makes apreliminary assessment of the situation and advises headquarters; 5)notifications are made up the chain of command by headquarterspersonnel; 6) an active shooter plan is put into effect; 7) backupofficers arrive, including mutual aid, and plain clothes personnel; 8)police personnel establish common communications; 9) the incidentcommander decides to form active shooter teams composed of three or fourofficers each, and assigns them to search for the active shooter, andadvises headquarters; 10) additional officers are assigned toimmediately establish an inner perimeter and assist with evacuation; 11)the incident commander evaluates the need for rescue teams to removeseverely injured facility occupants from the kill zone to medical aid;12) the incident commander calls for a hasty medical aid reception areato be set up in a safe location identified to all on the edge of theinner perimeter; 13) plain clothes personnel and support personnel moveto the evacuation site to receive evacuees, and also maintaincommunications with the incident commander and active shooter teams; 14)the perimeter is supported by additional uniformed officers, traffic iscontrolled and rerouted, and an outer perimeter is formed; 15) commandlevel officers establish a command post, and notify all personnel at thescene of the location; 16) and incident command is designated on thescene, and the on scene incident commander is responsible to direct alloperations at the crisis site; 17) the staging area is established, anda staging area manager is assigned; 18) traffic re-routing isaccomplished; 19) additional resources are requested; 20) additionalsupport continues to arrive at the staging area, and is directed by thestaging area manager; 21) additional resources arrive and a tacticalcommunication system is established; 22) SWAT links up with the on-sitecommander and supports the active shooter teams; 23) injured facilityoccupants are rescued and moved to receive medical aid; 24) Mutual AidUnits (RFD) arrive and are deployed to relieve officers at the innerperimeter with evacuation and securing areas in the facility; 25)non-uniformed police personnel and nonessential uniformed personnel atthe crisis site are moved to the staging area, debriefed, andre-assigned as necessary; 26) an increasing emphasis is placed onstabilization of the incident and constant attention is paid toaccountability of people evacuated from the target site, and missing,injured and deceased are accounted for and released to the competentauthority; 27) preparations are made for length of operation support,release, etc.; 28) preparations are made for continuity of normaloperations; 29) preparations are made for crime scene processing andpreliminary criminal investigation; 30) deadly violence is resolved; 31)the facility is continually swept by SWAT; 32) K-9 handlers, canines andbomb squad personnel sweeps the facility; 33) the local authorityprepares for complete control of the facility as a crime scene; 34) acriminal and crime scene investigation begins, and the medical examineris prepared for necessary follow-up; 35) personnel continues to work onaccountability for all citizens; 36) and accounting is made for allemergency responders and equipment, relieving them as necessary; and 37)documentation regarding the incident is prepared.

The tactical response to active shooter situations by first respondersis discussed in more detail below. With the initial response by patrolforces, and assessment is made by the on scene incident commander and adecision is made as to whether to form up and enter the facility as anactive shooter team, a rescue team for the injured, or both. Thetactical situation and the availability of personnel will dictate whenand what type of response will be initiated. As part of the initialtactical response, securing the inner perimeter and continuing thecontrolled evacuation of citizens are both critical.

The active shooter team is generally composed of four uniformed policeofficers, or other officers including plainclothes officers.Plainclothes officers must be clearly identified to avoid being shot bybeing mistaken for the active shooter. Alternatively, in situationswhere there is a shortage of officers, the active shooter team may beformed of three officers. The three officer configuration for activeshooter teams is an ink symmetrical wedge formed of three officers, withthe senior officer in the right wing of the wedge. The configuration forthe four officer active shooter team moving wedge is as follows: thepoint officer is at the front of the wedge, the right wing, theleft-wing, and the rear of the wedge covers the outside.

The officers on the active shooter team form up in a secure area, andanswer directly to the incident commander. These officers should beimmediately equipped with the following equipment: patrol uniform orraid vest/jacket, communication equipment with chest microphone, bodyarmor, and handgun with at least three loaded magazines. Additionaloptional support equipment can be sent to the scene, and include thefollowing: fire extinguishers, first aid/trauma kits, ballistic shields,hasty/reeves stretchers, ballistic helmet, pistol belt with allaccessories, patrol carbine with at least two loaded magazines, andbasic forcible entry tools including Halligan bar and sledgehammer.

The active shooter team is directed to enter where necessary based on acareful analysis of the probable location of the active shooter. Afterthe active shooter team is released by the incident commander, the teammoves into the facility and makes an attempt to locate the activeshooter based on available information, eyewitness accounts, noise,physical evidence, etc. The active shooter team must stay in constantcommunication with the incident commander and keep the instant commanderadvised of their location, status, etc. the active shooter team willskip areas unless they believed the active shooter to be present. Theactive shooter team will direct evacuees out of the facility, but cannotstop unless the active shooter is located. If an active shooter teamfinds a non-mobile severely injured person, they will call for a rescueteam. The rescue team will assist and evacuate the injured person tomedical aid, providing the location of the injured person, as well asthe injured person's condition. The active shooter team will thencontinue to move through the facility.

As the active shooter team moves through the facility, they should makean attempt to coordinate their actions with other active shooter teams,if such teams are also operating in the building. The active shooterteam must be constantly attempting to “collapse” the area used by theactive shooter, thereby containing the active shooter to a smaller areaand limiting the active shooter's freedom of action and access toinnocent facility occupants. Once the active shooter team contains theactive shooter to the smallest area possible, the team will make areasonable analysis as to which options they have in dealing with theactive shooter. The final decision to assault the active shooter'sposition will be made by the senior officer on the active shooter team.The active shooter team will prepare for entry, adhere to standardoperating procedures, and use what forces necessary in handling theactive shooter while reducing or minimizing danger to innocent facilityoccupants. The active shooter team will render the situation safe, andadvise the incident commander of the contact and status. The activeshooter will be handcuffed, searched, and secured, evacuees will beremoved, de-briefed, and the active shooter will be taken into custodyby other supporting officers. The active shooter team must then beprepared to continue searching the facility.

The active shooter team must be prepared to link up with supportingpolice units soon after the incident begins. The linkup will normallyoccur with the SWAT team, other active shooter teams, rescue or otherforms of support. The supporting teams must be apprised of the presenceof the active shooter teams were rescue teams in the area of operationsand their approximate location. The incident commander must notify allunits operating inside the Kill Zone of the entry of supporting SWAT orsupport services. Supporting units must have communication capabilitywith the units inside the facility, and normally would makecommunication, and then achieve a physical link up with those units.When the SWAT team makes entry, the active shooter team will workclosely with them to resolve the incident. The situation will dictatewhat tactics will be required for resolution; however, the SWATcommander will take charge of operations inside the facility.

In the case of non-SWAT supporting units, the incident commander will bein charge of all decisions relating to their entry into the targetstructure. Any supporting units entering the structure must be incommunication with active shooter teams forward of their positions toprevent a crossfire situation. Any form of communication may be used asnecessary depending on tactical situation.

Patrol personnel may be tasked with the responsibility of entering thetarget structure is a rescue team, and locate and evacuate facilityoccupants including injured facility occupants. The standardconfiguration for a rescue team includes the three or four member teamsdisclosed above. For example, the team will move as a wedge into thefacility and be prepared to defend themselves and others. The team willdirect evacuees out of the facility, and verify the position of injuredpeople.

When the team locates and injured facility occupant, the cover officerplaces himself/herself between the injured facility occupant and thehostile area. To rescue officers carefully load the victim onto astretcher and then removes the injured facility occupant from thefacility. The team moves to the exit control point and brings the victimto medical aid, and then prepares to reenter the facility, if necessaryon another rescue mission. If a rescue is undertaken without a suitablestructure, two of the rescuing officers will move the victim using a twoperson carrying procedure. This method of transporting injured facilityoccupants should only be undertaken if no other alternative exists forsafe evacuation.

The above tactics may be altered in situations responding to an activeshooter situation in an open air environment, i.e., outside of thefacility. Active shooters in these situations may be armed with avariety of firearms, including semiautomatic long guns capable ofaccurate fire over fairly long ranges. These types of active shooterstend to be highly mobile if they choose to live, with police officersusing tactics in an attempt to contain and hold the active shooterwithin a limited area.

The tactics used in open air environments are different than tacticsused in facilities, such as buildings, due to the large areas involved,lack of physical barriers, and lack of channeling structures. However,it can be difficult for an active shooter to hold innocent people in oneplace in these situations because the open environment rapid flight fromthe kill zone. The significant component in any response to an activeshooter situation in an open air environment is to contain the activeshooter in the smallest space possible, and denied the active shooterfreedom of action. This strategy will both limit the active shootersmovement and deny the active shooter targets of opportunity.

The initial patrol faced response to it active shooter and an open airenvironment is different to a response in the facility, such as thestructure, due to the many movement options available to the activeshooters, victims, and others present. The patrol based response to anopen air active shooter involves collapsing the perimeter around theactive shooter, while evacuating and/or protecting the innocentcitizens. An incident commander must take charge at the sceneimmediately, and maintain effective communications with headquarters andresponding units. A well-coordinated effort is necessary for patrolforces to contain an active shooter, and reduce or prevent continuedviolence or possible high-speed escape, such as in a vehicle. This typeof incident may not allow for a more formal organization of officersresponded to the prices, and thus they may need to be deployedimmediately, and must work closely together. It is critical in thesetypes of situations for all plainclothes police personnel to be clearlyidentified to prevent misidentification.

At the scene of an open air incident, the incident commander must makean immediate assessment of the situation, including the following: whatis occurring, who are the actors, victims, and what type of weapons areinvolved; whether the incident commander can communicate with all policeofficers at the scene; where the incident is occurring and how large thekill zone is; where will the incident commander direct respondingofficers to start and collapse an inner perimeter; whether victims canbe safely evacuated or sheltered in place; and whether a moving scenariocan be prevented and/or contained. Once the active shooter is containedto the smallest physical space possible, a more formal command andcontrol process can be put in place similar to more static activeshooter situations. The organized process of incident command withsupport for the operation and services to victims would follow thestandard procedures identified in the active shooter response in thefacilities, such as buildings.

As indicated above, some embodiments include methods and apparatus forimplementing any or all of the above procedures.

2. Individuals Facilitating Favorable Outcomes at Facility in Lockdown

Some of the embodiments include methods and apparatus that may bebeneficial to individuals who are not directly or indirectly tasked withofficially or unofficially addressing the circumstances warranting thelockdown, but who can facilitate more favorable outcomes at the facilityin lockdown. Some such individuals may include people who may facilitateisolating the facility in lockdown, such as bus drivers who can bedirected to avoid transporting potential victims to the facility. Othersuch individuals may include people who can otherwise prevent peoplefrom entering a region affected by the lockdown, such as personnel whocan re-direct traffic patterns away from the region affected by thelockdown, which may help potential victims to stay away from thedangerous situation giving rise to the lockdown, and may also helpresponding authorities to swiftly and/or effectively arrive at thefacility in lockdown.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover all methods andapparatus for implementing the above operations. For example, in thecontext of bus drivers being directed to avoid transporting potentialvictims to the facility in lockdown, embodiments are intended to includeany known, related art, and/or later developed technologies for enablingthis operation. Some such embodiments include communications apparatusthat provides an appropriate warning to all relevant bus drivers that anincident has occurred at the relevant facility, i.e., the school that isthe destination of the bus, and to thus not return to the facility inlockdown. This communication can be performed at the initiation of thelockdown, similarly to the communications transmitted to authorities,i.e., police responders.

Some of these and/or other embodiments include communications apparatusthat provides an appropriate warning to other relevant individualscapable of facilitating beneficial outcomes at the facility. Forexample, at the initiation of the lockdown, a similar communication canbe provided to other relevant school officials, such as teachers withstudents on a field trip or other off site location. These teacherscould then be notified of the lockdown and advised to not return to thefacility until the lockdown is terminated.

Still other embodiments include methods and apparatus for providingcommunications to other individuals, such as public bus drivers, trainconductors, and others who have the capability of operating publicvehicles in the vicinity of the facility in lockdown. In one suchexample, bus drivers and/or train conductors can receive communicationsto avoid or otherwise not stop at locations proximal the facility inlockdown to achieve benefits discussed above.

The same, similar or different communications can be provided to otherrelevant individuals. For example, communications can be transmitted tothe officials responsible for traffic issues, such as crossing guards.In some of these embodiments, crossing guards are provided with acommunication indicating that a nearby facility has been placed inlockdown and directed to implement appropriate procedures. For example,the crossing guards can redirect traffic away from the facility toreduce the number of potential victims and/or prevent traffic congestionto facilitate swift travel to the facility by authorized responders. Thecrossing guards can also direct pedestrians and others to otherwise stayaway from the facility.

However, some of the above and/or other embodiments include methods andapparatus other than the communications disclosed above. For example,some of these embodiments include methods and apparatus forautomatically redirecting traffic or others away from the facility inlockdown, and/or directing traffic in a manner that clears the way forresponding authorities. As one example, at the initiation of a lockdown,a control signal can be transmitted to certain traffic lights to controlthe traffic patterns for purposes discussed above. As another example,toll booths, entrances to bridges, entrances to highways, etc., can beautomatically blocked or opened to control the traffic patterns forthese purposes.

3. Individuals Not Providing Benefit to Facility in Lockdown

Some of the embodiments include methods and apparatus that may bebeneficial to individuals who are not directly or indirectly tasked withofficially or unofficially addressing the circumstances warranting thelockdown, and who cannot even provide any benefit to the facility inlockdown. Some such individuals may include occupants of other relatedfacilities that may be subject to similar circumstances and thus shouldbe placed on a heightened state of alert.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover all methods andapparatus for implementing the above operations. For example, someembodiments include methods and apparatus for providing communicationsto occupants of facilities that are related or otherwise similar to thefacility in lockdown. Some of these embodiments provide communicationsin the form of a warning that a related or otherwise similar facilityhas been placed in lockdown, and requesting that the recipient of thecommunication be placed in a state of alert to be watchful ofcircumstances similar to those giving rise to the lockdown at the otherfacility. This warning may therefore be beneficial by enabling the earlyidentification of circumstances giving rise to a lockdown at thefacility receiving the warning.

In the context of a school, a communication can be transmitted to allschools in a region upon the initiation of lockdown procedures at acertain school within that region. The school receiving thecommunication can then act accordingly to enhance the safety of theschool occupants. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise coverany or all forms and contents of such communications. For example, thecommunications of some embodiments may only include information thatanother school within the region has been placed in lockdown.Alternatively, the communications of other embodiments may includeadditional information, including but not limited to the type oflockdown, circumstances warranting the lockdown, status of the lockdown,exact location or specific facility of the lockdown, etc.

The communications of some embodiments include information other than orin addition to information directly related to the facility in lockdown.For example, the communications of some of these embodiments can providethe recipient facility with advice as to appropriate responses. In somesuch cases, the recipient facility may be instructed to itselfimmediately be placed in lockdown, which may be appropriate insituations where the recipient facility is very likely to be subjectedto the circumstances warranting the lockdown at the facility originallyplaced in lockdown. Alternatively, the recipient facility may beinstructed to merely be watchful for circumstances similar to thosegiving rise to the facility originally placed in lockdown. As yetanother alternative, the recipient facility may be instructed to adoptlock—in procedures, wherein all students, teachers and other schoolofficials are instructed to remain indoors with all entrances/exitslocked, which may be appropriate in situations where a nearby butotherwise unrelated facility has been placed in lockdown.

As yet another alternative, relevant communications can be sent at theinitiation of a lockdown to individuals who will ultimately beresponsible for investigating the circumstances giving rise to thelockdown. It may be beneficial for these investigators to receive earlynotice of the lockdown to facilitate or otherwise enhance theirinvestigative efforts.

However, the above embodiments are merely provided for exemplarypurposes and are not intended to be an exhaustive listing of allcommunications covered by the various embodiments to individuals notlocated at the facility in lockdown and not tasked with providing adirect benefit to the facility in lockdown.

III. System Summary

A summary is provided below that constitutes a very brief overview ofcertain features of the disclosed embodiments. The features summarizedbelow are merely provided for exemplary purposes, and are not intendedto constitute an exhaustive listing of features of the variousembodiments, and are not even intended to indicate significant orpreferred aspects of the disclosed embodiments.

Some embodiments are directed to a lockdown apparatus for facilitatinginitiation of lockdown procedures at a facility that is configured foroccupation by facility occupants and that includes a fire alarm. Thefire alarm can include a fire alarm actuator and a fire alarmcommunicator configured to produce a fire alarm communication forcommunicating actuation of the fire alarm actuator. The lockdownapparatus can include a manually operated lockdown actuator disposed atthe facility and configured to transmit a lockdown initiation signalupon being manually actuated, the manually operated actuator beingconfigured to be recognizably distinguishable from the fire alarmactuator. The lockdown apparatus can also include a lockdowncommunicator configured to produce a lockdown communication forcommunicating initiation of lockdown procedures to the facilityoccupants and individuals not disposed proximate the facility upontransmission of the lockdown initiation signal, the lockdowncommunication being recognizably distinguishable from the fire alarmcommunication.

The actuator can include a mounting base configured for mounting to astatic surface of the facility, and a depressible button disposed at themounting base, the mounting base and button each defining a frontexterior surface that is circular. The diameter of the circle of thebutton may be smaller than the diameter of the circle of the mountingbase. The circular front exterior surfaces of the mounting base andbutton can be coaxial, and one of the front exterior surfaces can belabelled with indicia including “LOCKDOWN.”

The actuator can include a mounting base configured for mounting to astatic surface of the facility, and a depressible button disposed at themounting base and defining a front exterior surface. The actuator can beconfigured to transmit the lockdown initiation signal upon applicationof a force between approximately 3 pounds and approximately 6 pounds tothe button in a direction substantially perpendicular to the frontexterior surface of the button. In some of these embodiments, theactuator can be configured to transmit the lockdown initiation signalupon application of a force between approximately 4.5 pounds andapproximately 5.5 pounds, and in some of these embodiments, theactuation pressure is equal to approximately 5.0 pounds.

The actuator can include a mounting base configured for mounting to astatic surface of the facility, a depressible button disposed at themounting base and defining a front exterior surface, and a cover thatcovers at least the front exterior surface of the button. The cover canbe at least one of transparent and semi-transparent, such that thebutton is viewable from an exterior of the actuator while the covercovers the button. The cover can be formed of a resilient material androtatably mounted to at least one of the mounting base and the button.The cover can be rotatable between a covered position that covers atleast the front exterior surface of the button, and an exposed positionthat exposes at least the front exterior surface of the button to enablemanual application of pressure thereto.

Alternatively, the cover can define a front exterior surface and beformed of a material that undergoes a change in shape upon applicationof a force between approximately 3 pounds and approximately 6 pounds tothe cover in a direction in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe front exterior surface of the of the cover. In some of theseembodiments, the change in shape occurs upon application of a forcebetween approximately 4.5 pounds and approximately 5.5 pounds to thecover, and in some of these embodiments, the shape change occurs uponapplication of a force of approximately 5.0 pounds. The change in shapecan expose the front exterior surface of the button to manualapplication of pressure thereto. The change in shape can include atleast one of: 1) a portion of the cover exposed to the force deforms ina direction substantially parallel to a direction of application of theforce, and 2) a portion of the cover exposed to the force breaks to forman aperture in the cover to expose the front exterior surface of thebutton to an exterior of the actuator.

The lockdown communicator can include an annunciator that communicatesan audible annunciation to facility occupants upon transmission of thelockdown initiation signal, the audible annunciation being recognizablydistinguishable from the fire alarm communication. The annunciator caninclude a casing that is configured for mounting to a static surface ofthe facility, and an audible generator disposed within the casing thatgenerates the audible annunciation upon transmission of the lockdowninitiation signal. The casing can define a front wall with multipleopenings extending therethrough, the front wall defining a circularexterior surface.

The annunciation generated by the audible generator can include an alarmcycle, each alarm cycle including an initial distinctive sound, followedby the word “lockdown” repeated at least three times. The annunciationgenerated by the audible generator can include a predetermined number ofalarm cycles upon transmission of the lockdown initiation signal, theaudible generator ceasing to generate further alarm cycles subsequent togeneration of the predetermined number of alarm cycles. Thepredetermined number of alarm cycles can include three alarm cycles. Theaudible generator can generate at least a portion of the audibleannunciation in a range between approximately 90 to 120 decibels.

The lockdown communicator can include a visual indicator thatcommunicates a visual indication to facility occupants upon transmissionof the lockdown initiation signal, the visual indication beingrecognizably distinguishable from the fire alarm communication. Thevisual indicator can include a casing that is configured for mounting toa static surface of the facility, a light generator disposed at thecasing that generates light upon transmission of the lockdown initiationsignal, and a transparent cover attached to at least one of the casingand the light generator that covers at least a part of the lightgenerator. The casing of the visual indicator can define a front wallhaving a circular exterior surface that is labelled with indiciaincluding “LOCKDOWN,” and the light generator can generate at least oneof blue light and green light.

The light generator can be a strobe that generates light at an intensityof between approximately 75 candelas and approximately 200 candelas, andat a flash pattern of at least approximately 60 flashes per minute. Thevisual indicator can continue to communicate the visual indication tofacility occupants upon transmission of the lockdown initiation signaluntil receiving a manually initiated override signal instructing thevisual indicator to cease communication of the visual indication.

The lockdown apparatus can also include a controller. The actuator cantransmit the lockdown initiation signal to the controller upon beingmanually actuated, and the controller, upon receipt of the lockdowninitiation signal, can generate and transmit an activation instructionsignal to the lockdown communicator instructing the lockdowncommunicator to produce the lockdown communication for communicatinginitiation of lockdown procedures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a schematic of an actuator in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2B is a schematic of an actuator that includes a static cover inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2C is a schematic of an actuator that includes a movable cover inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2D is a schematic of an actuator that includes a movable cover inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2E is a schematic of an actuator in accordance with an alternativeexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2F is a schematic of an actuator in accordance with anotheralternative exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a schematic of an annunciator in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a schematic of an annunciator in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a schematic of a visual indicator in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a schematic of a visual indicator in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a schematic of a visual indicator in accordance with anotheralternative exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a schematic of a combined annunciator and visual indicator inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a schematic of a combined annunciator and visual indicator inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment that includes a combined annunciatorand visual indicator.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment that is integrated, or otherwisecommunicates, with another system.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment, wherein the actuator directlytransmits the activation signal to the annunciator and visual indicator.

FIG. 9 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment, which combines the actuator and thecontroller.

FIG. 10 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment that includes mechanisms for impedingor preventing entry into or traversal through certain areas of thefacility upon initiation of lockdown procedures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained indetail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplaryembodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter,not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalentvariations of the various features provided in the description thatfollows. An index of topics is provided for convenience.

I. Definitions

-   -   A. Facility    -   B. Applicable Situation    -   C. Object of Safety/Security    -   D. Apparatus and/or Equipment

II. Methods and Apparatus for Initiating Lockdown Procedures

-   -   A. Actuator    -   B. Annunciator    -   C. Visual Indicator    -   D. Combination of System Components    -   E. Controller    -   F. Overall System        -   1. Combined Annunciator and Visual Indicator—FIG. 6        -   2. Alternative Controller—FIG. 7        -   3. Actuator Transmits Activation Signal—FIG. 8        -   4. Combined Actuator and Controller—FIG. 9    -   G. Additional/Other Features        -   1. Drill Mode        -   2. Override Mode        -   3. Automatic Actuators

III. Methods and Apparatus for Implementing Lockdown Procedures

-   -   A. Exemplary Apparatus        -   1. Overall System        -   2. Automatic Locking Mechanisms and/or Status Indicators        -   3. Video and/or Still Image Data        -   4. Impeding or Addressing Circumstances Warranting Lockdown    -   B. Exemplary Procedures

IV. Other Alternatives

I. DEFINITIONS

A. Facility

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to any typeof facility, such as indoor or outdoor facilities, or combinations ofboth, including but not limited to: 1) buildings and/or grounds ofbuildings; 2) aircraft, ships and other types of transportation relatedvehicles; and 3) any other type of area that can be subjected to safetyissues, such as underground or underwater facilities, offshore platformssuch as oil rigs, outdoor gathering places such as outdoor malls, etc.In fact, unless indicated to the contrary, the term facility is used inthe present disclosure in its broadest sense, and is not limited to thespecific types of facilities identified in various sections of thepresent disclosure.

Facility should be considered as including a single or multiplelocations. The multiple locations can be related in some way, such asby: 1) proximity to one another, 2) related function, 3) similarity incharacteristics, etc. For example, the facility can include multiplebuildings and areas surrounding the multiple buildings that are relatedin some way, such as in the case of a campus or compound, e.g., collegecampus or military compound. However, the multiple buildings do notnecessarily have to be related to each other in any way other thanproximity, such as in the case of multiple buildings only related toeach other by being located near each other, e.g., a library locatedadjacent a school.

Some of the embodiments are also directed to separate but relatedfacilities, such as the same or similar types of facilities located in acertain region, e.g., all public schools in a certain county. Forexample, it may be beneficial for certain related facilities to followcertain procedures if lockdown procedures are initiated in one of therelated facilities.

As one such example, it may be beneficial for all schools in a certainregion or county to follow lockdown procedures if one of the schools inthat region or county is placed in lockdown. This procedure may bebeneficial for various reasons, such as to provide an appropriateresponse to a coordinated attack, to isolate the school in lockdown bycontrolling related transportation issues (e.g., preventing studentsfrom other schools from being transported to the school in lockdown),etc.

As an alternative to placing all related schools into lockdown, it maybe beneficial to adopt other procedures for the related schools thatwere not actuated to be in lockdown. For example, it may be beneficialfor the related schools to operate in a way that isolates the schoolthat was actuated into lockdown, such as by transmitting communicationsto relevant individuals to prevent students and other individuals frombeing transported to the school that was actuated into lockdown, such asby preventing sports teams from being transported to the affectedschool.

The above procedures may be beneficial for various reasons, such as byreducing the number of individuals exposed to the risks inherent in thecircumstances warranting the lockdown, reducing chaos or confusion atthe facility in lockdown, avoiding impeding efforts by authorities orothers responding to the lockdown, etc.

B. Applicable Situations

Various of the disclosed methods and apparatus enhance safety and/orsecurity in various types of potentially dangerous situations. Many ofthe embodiments are disclosed in the context of shootings and/or othertypes of violence at facilities, including but not limited to eventsreferred to in the present disclosure as active shooter situations thatwarrant or otherwise involve lockdown situations or lockdown relatedprocedures. In other words, these embodiments relate to situations whereit may be beneficial to contain certain facility occupants to a securedarea in order to restrict entry and/or exit from that area for thepurpose of reducing exposure of the facility occupants to an activeshooter.

However, many other embodiments are directed to, or otherwise applicablein the context of, other types of emergencies unrelated to activeshooter situations. For example, some embodiments are applicable toplacing facility occupants in lockdown in the context of weather relatedemergencies, including but not limited to situations involvingtornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc. Still other embodimentsaddress types of situations other than those disclosed above that mayplace facility occupants at risk of injury or death.

However, other embodiments include methods and apparatus that areapplicable in contexts in which facility occupants are not in direct orindirect risk of injury or death. For example, some of these embodimentsare applicable in situations in which it may be beneficial to place thefacility, or parts thereof, in lockdown for the purpose of conducting aninvestigation. Some of these embodiments address lockdown situations inwhich a search is conducted within this facility, including but notlimited to searches for contraband, illegal narcotics, firearms,explosives, etc.

C. Object of Safety/Security

Many of the disclosed embodiments are directed to enhancing the safetyand/or security of people disposed in and/or proximate to facilities.However, the various embodiments are intended to enhance the safetyand/or security of anything, including but not limited to people,animals and other organisms, personal and real property, disposed in orproximate to the facility. In fact, some embodiments enhance the safetyand/or security of people and things that are not disposed proximate tothe facility that is the object of lockdown.

D. Apparatus and/or Equipment

Many of the disclosed embodiments include or otherwise involve varioustypes of apparatus and/or equipment. For example, in the context ofinitiating and/or otherwise communicating a lockdown situation at acertain facility, some embodiments include at least one of the followingtypes of apparatus: manually and/or automatically operated actuators toinitiate the lockdown; communicators to communicate the lockdownincluding annunciators, strobes, etc.; and other types of communicationsor processing apparatus. For example, some of this communications orprocessing apparatus instructs the communicators (annunciators, strobes,etc.) to communicate the lockdown situation to individuals located at orproximate to the facility upon actuation of the actuators. In additionor as an alternative, the communications or processing apparatus of someembodiments communicates the lockdown situation to individuals notlocated at or proximate to the facility upon actuation of the actuators.

Any and all of the above apparatus, including but not limited to theabove communications or processing apparatus, may include or otherwiseinvolve processors, software, and/or other known, related art, or laterdeveloped electronics, fiber optics, or other technologies. Some ofthese processors may include at least one of: 1) central processingunit(s), such as a processing unit, in Von Neumann computerarchitecture, that contains an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and processorregisters; 2) microprocessor(s), such as those including a silicon chip,containing one or more CPUs, as part of a microcomputer, e.g., amultipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input,processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, andprovides results as output, and thereby utilizes sequential digitallogic based on its inclusion of internal memory; 3) application-specificinstruction-set processor(s), such as a component used insystem-on-a-chip design; 4) graphics processing unit(s) (GPU/VPU), suchas a dedicated graphics rendering device for a personal computer, gameconsole, etc.; 5) physics processing unit(s) (PPU), such as a dedicatedmicroprocessor designed to handle the calculations of physics; 6)digital signal processor(s), such as a specialized microprocessordesigned specifically for digital signal processing; 7) networkprocessor(s), a microprocessor specifically targeted at the networkingapplication domain; 8) front end processor(s), such as a helperprocessor for communication between a host computer and other devices;9) coprocessor(s); 10) floating-point unit(s); and data processingsystem(s), such as a system that translates or converts betweendifferent data formats.

Exemplary embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover allsoftware or computer programs usable with any of the above processorsand thereby capable of performing the various disclosed operations,determinations, calculations, etc., for the purpose of initiating and/orcommunicating lockdown. For example, exemplary embodiments are intendedto cover all software or computer programs capable of enabling theprocessors disclosed above to implement the disclosed processes. Inother words, exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all systems andprocesses that configure a document operating system to implement thedisclosed processes.

Exemplary embodiments are also intended to cover any and all currentlyknown, related art or later developed non-transitory recording orstorage mediums (such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard drive, RAM, ROM, floppydisc, magnetic tape cassette, etc.) that record or store such softwareor computer programs. Exemplary embodiments are further intended tocover such software, computer programs, systems and/or processesprovided through any other currently known, related art, or laterdeveloped medium (such as transitory mediums, carrier waves, etc.),usable for implementing the exemplary operations disclosed above.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the disclosed computerprograms can be executed in many exemplary ways, such as an applicationthat is resident in the memory of a device or as a hosted applicationthat is being executed on a server and communicating with the deviceapplication or browser via a number of standard protocols, such asTCP/IP, HTTP, XML, SOAP, REST, JSON and other sufficient protocols. Thedisclosed computer programs can be written in exemplary programminglanguages that execute from memory on the device or from a hostedserver, such as BASIC, COBOL, C, C++, Java, Pascal, or scriptinglanguages such as JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, Perl or othersufficient programming languages.

Some of the disclosed embodiments include or otherwise involve datatransfer over a network, such as communicating various inputs over thenetwork. The network may include, for example, one or more of theInternet, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), analogor digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g., a PSTN,Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), a cellular network, andDigital Subscriber Line (xDSL)), radio, television, cable, satellite,and/or any other delivery or tunneling mechanism for carrying data.Network may include multiple networks or subnetworks, each of which mayinclude, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway. The network mayinclude a circuit-switched voice network, a packet-switched datanetwork, or any other network able to carry electronic communications.For example, the network may include networks based on the Internetprotocol (IP) or asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and may support voiceusing, for example, VoIP, Voice-over-ATM, or other comparable protocolsused for voice data communications. In one implementation, the networkincludes acellular telephone network configured to enable exchange oftext or SMS messages.

Some of the disclosed communications systems are configured to exchangeelectronic communications, by inclusion of a mobile device, a serviceprovider, and a communication device, wherein the service providerfacilitates communications between the mobile device and thecommunication device over a network. The network is configured to enableexchange of electronic communications between devices connected to thenetwork. For example, the network may be configured to enable exchangeof electronic communications between the mobile device, the serviceprovider, and the communication device. The network may include, forexample, one or more of the Internet, Wide Area Networks (WANs), LocalArea Networks (LANs), analog or digital wired and wireless telephonenetworks (e.g., a PSTN, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN),acellular network, and Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL)), radio,television, cable, satellite, and/or any other delivery or tunnelingmechanism for carrying data. Network 210 may include multiple networksor subnetworks, each of which may include, for example, a wired orwireless data pathway. The network may include a circuit-switched voicenetwork, a packet-switched data network, or any other network able tocarry electronic communications. For example, the network may includenetworks based on the Internet protocol (IP) or asynchronous transfermode (ATM), and may support voice using, for example, VoIP,Voice-over-ATM, or other comparable protocols used for voice datacommunications. In one implementation, the network 210 includes acellular telephone network configured to enable exchange of text or SMSmessages.

The mobile device is configured to exchange electronic communicationswith the communication device through service provider. The mobiledevice may be any mobile device configured to exchange electroniccommunications over a network. For example, the mobile device may be awireless phone, a cellular phone, a mobile personal digital assistant(PDA) with embedded cellular phone technology, a smart phone, etc.

II. METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INITIATING LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance with anexemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the lockdown system 1 includesat least one actuator 3, at least one annunciator 5, at least one visualindicator 7, and a controller 9. The at least one actuator 3,annunciator 5, and visual indicator 7 are located at or proximate to thefacility. The controller 9 can be located at or proximate to thefacility, or alternatively disposed away from the facility.

In accordance with this embodiment, manual actuation of the actuator 3results in transmission of a lockdown initiation signal to thecontroller 9. Upon receipt of the lockdown initiation signal, thecontroller 9 transmits an activation signal to the at least oneannunciator 5 and visual indicator 7. The at least one annunciator 5 andvisual indicator 7 communicate initiation of lockdown procedures toindividuals at or in proximity to the facility upon receipt of theactivation signal. Upon receipt of the lockdown initiation signal, thecontroller 9 also transmits a communication signal to at least oneauthorized recipient 11. In many embodiments, the at least oneauthorized recipient 11 includes a centralized facility of authorizedpersonnel for responding to emergencies, including but not limited to apolice station, fire station, medical dispatch unit, etc.

A. Actuator

The at least one actuator 3 can be manually operated and include anypossible configuration that results in transmission of the lockdowninitiation signal to the controller 9. The actuator 3 can be staticallymounted to an object in the facility at issue, such as to a wall of thefacility.

It may be especially beneficial for the actuator 3 to be configured soas to be easily recognizable or identifiable as compared to a fire alarmpull station or other switches or apparatus. For example, easyrecognition or identification facilitates swift actuation upon theoccurrence of circumstances warranting initiation of lockdownprocedures. Easy recognition or identification will also reduce thelikelihood of unintended actuation of a fire alarm pull stations uponthe occurrence of circumstances warranting lockdown procedures, and viceversa. These benefits are especially relevant in circumstances that maycause individuals, who may need to actuate the actuator 3, to experiencehigh amounts of stress, making it more difficult for these individualsto recognize or identify the actuator 3. In other words, thecircumstances warranting lockdown are typically very stressful, makingcertain decisions, such as identification/recognition of the lockdownactuator more difficult, and thus it is especially beneficial in thesesituations to enable these individuals to easily distinguish thelockdown actuator from a fire alarm actuator. Various aspects of theactuator configuration that facilitate recognition and identificationinclude, but are not limited to, size, shape, color, texture, location,disposition, orientation, method of operation, etc.

It may similarly be beneficial for the actuator 3 to be configured so asto be easily and intuitively actuated, while also reducing, impeding, oravoiding unintended actuation. For example, it may be beneficial for theactuator 3 to have a configuration so that it can be actuated byindividuals with minimal training, including children, and who may besubjected to high amounts of stress. However, it is also beneficial forthe actuator to have a configuration that also reduces, impedes, oravoids unintended actuation, such as could occur by unintended contact,e.g., accidental contact with a person or object. The likelihood of suchunintended contacts is increased in various applications, such as in afacility occupied by children, a facility undergoing construction, etc.

The actuators 3 of many of the disclosed embodiments utilize a button orbutton-like actuation mechanism, wherein application of pressure at asurface of the actuator initiates actuation. In many of theseembodiments, this pressure is effective or most effective for actuationif applied generally perpendicular to an exterior surface, such as afront surface, of the actuator 3. It may be especially beneficial forthe actuator to clearly identify the area or region to which pressure isto be applied, for reasons disclosed above, e.g., to facilitate ease ofactuation, etc.

FIG. 2A is a schematic of an actuator in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment. The actuator 3 of the embodiment of FIG. 2A is circular inshape, or at least is viewed as circular from the perspective of anindividual who is positioned to actuate the actuator 3. This circularshape may be beneficial because it is easily distinguishable from firealarm actuators, such as fire alarm pull stations, which are rectangularor square in shape.

The actuator 3 of FIG. 2A includes an inner circular button 31 thatactuates the actuator 3 upon receipt of pressure applied by a user.Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise involve any actuationmechanism to perform this operation, such as spring-based mechanisms.For example, the actuation mechanism can actuate the actuator 3 upon thebutton 31 being depressed by a certain distance as a result of theapplication of pressure, such as pressure being applied to a frontexterior surface 33 of the button 31.

In some of these embodiments, the amount or distance of depression thatcauses actuation can only be achieved by application of a fairlysignificant force or amount of pressure, such as an amount of pressureresulting from application of more than one pound of force applied tothe front exterior surface 33 of the button 31. In some of theseembodiments, this amount of force is in the range of betweenapproximately 3 pounds of pressure and approximately 6 pounds ofpressure. In some of these embodiments, this amount of force is in therange of between approximately 4.5 pounds of pressure and approximately5.5 pounds of pressure. In some of these embodiments, this amount offorce is equal to approximately 5.0 pounds of pressure. However, someactuators are configured to require application of more thanapproximately six pounds of force for actuation.

The embodiments that include buttons 31 that only provide actuation uponapplication of a fairly significant force or amount of pressure may bebeneficial by impeding or avoiding unintended actuations. For example,application of a fairly significant amount of force implies an intentionon the part of a user to depress the button 31 for the purpose ofactuating the actuator. In other words, requiring a fairly significantamount of force avoids unintended actuations that would result fromapplication of a lesser amount of force, such as might occur upon aperson or object accidently contacting the button 31.

The amount of force or pressure applied to the exterior front surface 33of the button 31 that is required for actuation may be determined basedon a balancing of multiple issues. For example, a lesser amount of forceis beneficial by facilitating ease and swiftness of actuation, which maybe especially beneficial in certain circumstances, such as where theactuation is performed by a child or person suffering from an injury.Contrarily, a greater amount of force is beneficial by impeding oravoiding unintended actuations. In fact, the amount of force that isrequired for actuation may be determined based on a balancing ofmultiple issues that may be relevant to a particular facility oractuator location. For example, it may be beneficial for actuation toresult from application of a relatively lower amount of force in certainfacilities or locations, such as where unintended actuations are lesslikely (e.g., the front office of a school), or locations whereactuation may need to be performed by young children (e.g., proximate akindergarten classroom, etc.). Alternatively, it may be beneficial foractuation to result from application of a relatively higher amount offorce in certain facilities or locations, such as where unintendedactuations are more likely (e.g., the hallway of a school) or whereactuation is more likely to be performed by a healthy adult (e.g., in anoffice building).

In addition or as an alternative to the amount of force disclosed above,some embodiments include a structure that only allows the button 31 tobe depressed upon application of a force to the front exterior surface33 in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to thatsurface 33. For example, some of these embodiments include a structuresuch that a force only results in depression of the button sufficientfor actuation upon being applied in a direction in the range of between60 degrees and 120 degrees relative to the front exterior surface 33. Insome of these embodiments, this force needs to be applied in the rangebetween 80 degrees and 100 degrees relative to the front exteriorsurface 33 in order to depress the button 31 a certain distance toresult in actuation. In some of these embodiments, this direction offorce needs to be in the range between 85 degrees and 95 degreesrelative to the front exterior surface 33 for actuation. Still further,some of these embodiments need the force to be 90 degrees to result inactuation.

The preciseness of the direction of force or pressure applied to theexterior front surface 33 of the button 31 that is required foractuation may be determined based on a balancing of multiple issues. Forexample, a less precise direction of force is beneficial by facilitatingease and swiftness of actuation, which may be especially beneficial incertain circumstances, such as where the actuation is performed by achild or person suffering from an injury. Contrarily, a more precisedirection of force or pressure is beneficial by impeding or avoidingunintended actuations. In fact, the preciseness of the direction offorce or pressure that is required for actuation may be determined basedon a balancing of multiple issues that may be relevant to a particularfacility or actuator location. For example, it may be beneficial foractuation to result from application of a relatively less precisedirection of force in certain facilities or locations, such as whereunintended actuations are less likely (e.g., the front office of aschool), or locations where actuation may need to be performed by youngchildren (e.g., proximate a kindergarten classroom, etc.).Alternatively, it may be beneficial for actuation to result fromapplication of a relatively more precise direction of force in certainfacilities or locations, such as where unintended actuations are morelikely (e.g., the hallway of a school) or where actuation is more likelyto be performed by a healthy adult (e.g., in an office building).

In addition or as an alternative to the amount and/or direction of forcedisclosed above, some embodiments include a structure that only allowsactuation upon the button 31 being depressed by a certain distance for acertain amount of time. For example, some of these embodiments include astructure such that the button 31 needs to be depressed for a period inthe range of approximately 1 second to approximately 3 seconds in orderto result in actuation. In some of these embodiments, this force needsto be applied for a period in the range of approximately 1.5 seconds toapproximately 2.5 seconds. In some of these embodiments, this periodneeds to be between 1.8 seconds and 2.2 seconds relative to the frontexterior surface 33 for actuation. Still further, some of theseembodiments require a force to be applied for 2 seconds to result inactuation.

The period of force or pressure applied to the exterior front surface 33of the button 31 that is required for actuation may be determined basedon a balancing of multiple issues. For example, a shorter period isbeneficial by facilitating ease and swiftness of actuation, which may beespecially beneficial in certain circumstances, such as where theactuation is performed by a child or person suffering from an injury.Contrarily, a longer period of force or pressure is beneficial byimpeding or avoiding unintended actuations. In fact, the period of forceor pressure that is required for actuation may be determined based on abalancing of multiple issues that may be relevant to a particularfacility or actuator location. For example, it may be beneficial foractuation to result from application of a relatively shorter period offorce in certain facilities or locations, such as where unintendedactuations are less likely (e.g., the front office of a school), orlocations where actuation may need to be performed by young children(e.g., proximate a kindergarten classroom, etc.). Alternatively, it maybe beneficial for actuation to result from application of a relativelylonger period of force in certain facilities or locations, such as whereunintended actuations are more likely (e.g., the hallway of a school) orwhere actuation is more likely to be performed by a healthy adult (e.g.,in an office building).

The actuator 3 may include features or structures that facilitateactuation, such as by enabling a user to more easily or intuitivelyunderstand how to actuate the actuator. For example, the button 31 canbe raised or otherwise outwardly offset in a direction perpendicular toits front exterior surface 33, which helps a user to understand thatdepression of the button is required for actuation. However, raising oroffsetting the button 31 may increase the likelihood of unintendedactuations, because the button 31 may be more prone to unintendedcontacts. In other words, making the button 31 flush or even indented(inwardly offset) relative to other portions of the actuator, such asportions defining the actuator perimeter, may reduce the likelihood ofunintended actuations, because the button 31 may be less prone tounintended contacts. The determination as to whether to raise or indentthe button 31, or to make the button 31 flush, can be determined bybalancing the issues disclosed above in the contexts of amount, angle,and period of force necessary for actuation.

As an alternative or in addition to the above button offset features,the actuator 3 may include other or additional features or structuresthat facilitate actuation, such as by enabling a user to more easily orintuitively understand how to actuate the actuator. For example, thebutton 31 can include identifying indicia or markings to facilitate auser's understanding of where to apply pressure for actuation. In theembodiment of FIG. 2A, the exterior front surface 33 of the button 31includes indicia 35 in the form of the words “PUSH” to facilitate auser's understand that pushing the button 31 results in actuation. Theactuator 3 can include other indicia or words to further facilitate theuser's understanding that applying pressure to the button 31 results inactuation and thus initiation of lockdown procedures. For example, inthe embodiment of FIG. 2A, the actuator 3 includes additional indicia 37in the form of the words “LOCKDOWN” to help users to understand thatactuation of the actuator 3 results in initiation of lockdownprocedures.

The actuator 3 may include other or additional features or structuresthat: 1) facilitate actuation (such as by enabling a user to more easilyor intuitively understand how to actuate the actuator), and/or 2)facilitate identification or recognition of the actuator 3. Theseadditional features or structures that enable identification orrecognition may be especially beneficial for facility occupants who arenot familiar with the actuator location, are experiencing heightenedstress levels, etc. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the actuator includesa series of concentric circles, such as in the general form of a target.For example, a base is provided that includes an intermediate circle 39immediately surrounds the button 31, and an outer circle 41 surroundsthe intermediate circle 39. In this embodiment, one or more portions ofthe base are connected to a static object, such as a wall of thefacility at issue.

Each of the adjacent circular areas disclosed above, i.e., button 31,intermediate circle 39, and outer circle 41, can be visuallydistinguishable. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2A, theintermediate circle 39 is visually distinguishable from both the button31 and outer circle 41, and in particular, the intermediate circle 39 iswhite (or light in color), while the button 31 and outer circle 41 aredark in color. It may be especially beneficial for the button 31 andouter circle 41 to be the same color, and in particular a color that isused with other elements of the lockdown system, to enhancerecognizability and identification of the system.

For example, it may be beneficial for these and other elements of thelockdown system to be a color that is distinguishable from colors usedto identify fire alarm pull stations, which are often red and/or black,or other systems that are unrelated to the lockdown system. Thus, insome embodiments, the button 31 and outer circle 41, as well as otherelements of the lockdown system, are colored blue or green. Blue may beespecially beneficial because identification lights on many police carsare blue, and thus adopting that color may help facility occupants torecognize or identify the actuator 3 because, as explained in othersections of the present disclosure, actuating the actuator 3 results incommunication of the lockdown to responsible authorities, includinglocal law enforcement tasked with addressing the circumstanceswarranting the lockdown. In other words, adopting blue may be beneficialby enabling facility occupants to consciously or unconsciously relatethe lockdown actuator 3 to authorized responding authorities, includingpolice officers.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover additional oralternative structures to those disclosed above. For example, inaddition or as an alternative to the features disclosed above that maybe beneficial to impeding, reducing or preventing unintended actuations,a cover can be provided to cover the front exterior surface 33 of thebutton 31. In other words, the cover can be provided as an alternativeto the structures disclosed above for impeding, reducing or preventingunintended actuations, or alternatively the cover can be provided inaddition to these structures to provide additional protection againstunintended actuations.

FIG. 2B is a schematic of an actuator that includes a cover inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2B, the cover43 extends over the front exterior surface 33 of the button 31, whichthereby provides some shielding effect to the button 31. In other words,the cover 43 shields the button 31 from being accessed, and thus afacility occupant cannot access the button without first addressing thecover 43. Embodiments are intended to include any cover 43 to ultimatelyprovide access to the button 31, i.e., any structure that provides someimpediment to accessing the actuator for the purpose of impeding,reducing or preventing unintended actuation. For example, the cover 43needs to be an impediment to unintended actuation, while at the sametime needs to enable intended actuation, and most beneficially, toenable intended actuation without undue burden or with a reduced orminimum burden.

The robustness of the cover 43, i.e., the amount of effort required toovercome the cover 43 and thereby actuate the button 31, may bedetermined based on a balancing of multiple issues. For example, a lessrobust cover 43 is beneficial by facilitating ease and swiftness ofactuation, which may be especially beneficial in certain circumstances,such as where the actuation is performed by a child or person sufferingfrom an injury. Contrarily, a more robust cover 43 is beneficial byimpeding or avoiding unintended actuations. In fact, the robustness ofthe cover 43, i.e., the amount of effort required to overcome the cover43 and thereby actuate the button 31, may be determined based on abalancing of multiple issues that may be relevant to a particularfacility or actuator location. For example, it may be beneficial toprovide a less robust cover 43 in certain facilities or locations, suchas where unintended actuations are less likely (e.g., the front officeof a school), or locations where actuation may need to be performed byyoung children (e.g., proximate a kindergarten classroom, etc.).Alternatively, it may be beneficial to provide a more robust cover 43 incertain facilities or locations, such as where unintended actuations aremore likely (e.g., the hallway of a school) or where actuation is morelikely to be performed by a healthy adult (e.g., in an office building).

In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the cover only extends over a portion ofthe actuator 3. For example, the cover 43 shown in FIG. 2B extends overthe intermediate circle 39 and the button 31. In some of theseembodiments, the cover 43 is circular and sized to be aligned orotherwise conform with an outer perimeter of the intermediate circle 39.However, covers of other embodiments may be different shapes and sizes.For example, the cover 43 of some embodiments is larger than the cover43 of FIG. 2B, and in some of these embodiments the larger cover coversthe outer circle 41. In some of these embodiments, the larger cover iscircular and is aligned or otherwise conforms with an outer perimeter ofthe outer circle 41. Contrarily, in other embodiments, the cover 43 issmaller than the cover of FIG. 2B. For example, the cover can be sizedto only cover the button 31, such as to be aligned or otherwise conformwith an outer perimeter of the button 31. However, other smaller coverembodiments may be slightly larger, and may cover a portion of theintermediate circle 39.

In some embodiments, the cover 43 is clear or semi-transparent, enablinga facility occupant to view the button 31 and other portions of theactuator 3 that are covered by the cover 43. Allowing a facilityoccupant to view the button 31 may be beneficial by facilitating itsactuation, i.e., enabling a facility occupant to identify the locationof the button 31 so that pressure/contact can be applied thereto. Manyembodiments provide this feature, especially in situations where allfacility occupants are authorized to actuate the actuator. However,other covers can visually shield certain or all portions of the actuator3. For example, in some embodiments, the cover can shield view of thebutton 31 from individuals who are not intended to have authorizationfor actuating the actuator 3, such as in the context of the actuatorbeing installed in a prison, i.e., where prison inmates may not beauthorized to actuate the actuator 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the cover 43 is static. Thus, in some ofthese embodiments, access to the button 31 is achieved by breaking orotherwise deforming the cover 43. For example, the cover 31 can beformed of glass or some other transparent or semi-transparent brittle orother material that can be broken by a facility occupant. In some ofthese embodiments, the cover 43 is configured to enable a facilityoccupant to break the cover 43, and thereby gain access to the button43, by solely using the facility occupant's hand. For example, thefacility occupant can apply sufficient pressure to break the cover 43using a fist, a single or multiple fingers, etc. These embodiments maybe beneficial based on simplicity, which facilities ease, intuitivenessand swiftness of use. In fact, some embodiments are configured tofurther guide or prompt facility occupants as to how to access thebutton. For example, in some of these embodiments, indicia is providedon or adjacent to the breakable cover 43 indicating that the cover 43 isbreakable and needs to be broken to provide access to the button 31,e.g., break glass to enable actuation.

In other embodiments, additional structures are provided to facilitateor aid a facility occupant in breaking the cover 43 to obtain access tothe button 31. For example, a rigid member, such as a small hammer, canbe provided proximate the actuator that can be used to break the cover43. In some of these embodiments, the rigid member is secured to a chainto impede or prevent the rigid member from being separated from theactuator 3 to impede or prevent it from being lost, stolen, etc.

However, other static covers 43 do not necessarily need to be broken toprovide access to the button 31. For example, some static covers 43 candeform upon the application of a sufficient amount of pressure. In someof these embodiments, the cover 43 beds or otherwise deforms generallyin the direction of the application of force. Thus, a facility occupantapplied a certain amount of pressure to the exterior surface of thecover 43, which then deforms inwardly such that the continuedapplication of pressure is transferred to the button, thereby resultingin actuation thereof.

The covers of other embodiments are not static. Thus, in accordance withthese embodiments, the covers are movable to provide access to thebutton 31. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover anymechanisms for enabling the covers to be movable to provide access tothe button 31. A few such embodiments a disclosed below for exemplarypurposes, but these disclosures are not intended to constitute anexhaustive listing of structures covered by the various embodiments.

FIG. 2C is a schematic of an actuator that includes a movable cover inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2C, analternative cover 45 is attached to, or otherwise communicates with, ahinge 47 that enables the cover 45 to be rotated about an axis of thehinge 47. In this embodiment, the hinge 47 is provided at a location toconnect an upper end 49 of the cover 45 to a relevant portion of thebase, i.e., at the intermediate circle 39 and/or outer circle 41. Theopposite lower end 51 of the cover 45 is not permanently attached to thebase to enable the cover 45 to be rotated about the hinge 47, such as ina counterclockwise direction shown in arrow 53.

In some of these embodiments, the lower end 51 of the cover 45 isconfigured to merely rest against or otherwise be disposed proximate thebase, which facilitates ease of manual rotation of the cover 45.However, other alternative embodiments include structure(s) to hold thelower end 51 of the cover 45 in place against the base, which can bebeneficial to ensure or otherwise decrease the likelihood of the cover45 being rotated in situations where actuation of the button 31 is notintended. In addition, these structure(s) can provide other benefits,such as by forming a tighter seal between the cover 45 and the base soas to impede or prevent debris, dust, etc., from entering the spacedefined between the cover 45 and the button 31. In these embodiments,the structure(s) should form a sufficient seal between the cover 45 andthe base to accomplish any of the above benefits, however the sealshould not be overly strong to unnecessarily impede manual rotation ofthe cover 45. In other words, the connection between the bottom end 51of the cover 45 and the base should not be overly robust so as tosignificantly impede rotation of the cover 45 and thus access to thebutton 45.

However, the robustness of the connection between the bottom end 51 ofthe cover 45 and the base can be determined based on application, and/ormay be determined based on a balancing of multiple issues. For example,a less robust connection is beneficial by facilitating ease andswiftness of rotation of the cover 45 and thus access to the button 31,which may be especially beneficial in certain circumstances, such aswhere the actuation is performed by a child or person suffering from aninjury. Contrarily, a more robust connection is beneficial by impedingor avoiding unintended actuations, or achieving other benefits, such asby blocking an increased amount of dust, debris, etc. In fact, therobustness of the connection may be determined based on a balancing ofmultiple issues that may be relevant to a particular facility oractuator location. For example, it may be beneficial to provide a lessrobust connection in certain facilities or locations, such as whereunintended actuations are less likely (e.g., the front office of aschool), or locations where actuation may need to be performed by youngchildren (e.g., proximate a kindergarten classroom, etc.).Alternatively, it may be beneficial to provide a more robust connectionin certain facilities or locations, such as where unintended actuationsare more likely (e.g., the hallway of a school) or where actuation ismore likely to be performed by a healthy adult (e.g., in an officebuilding).

However, embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover otheralternative mechanisms for enabling the covers to be movable to provideaccess to the button 31. FIG. 2D is a schematic of an actuator thatincludes a movable cover in accordance with another exemplaryembodiment. As shown in FIG. 2D, a cover 55 is attached to the base by aconnector 57. The connector 57 may be a single contiguous structure thatextends around the entire periphery of the cover 55 so as to form aconnection between the entire surface of the cover 55 and the base.Alternatively, the connector 57 may connect less than the entireperiphery of the cover 55 to the base, such as at one discrete location.As another alternative, multiple connectors 57 may be provided toconnect multiple spaced apart portions of the periphery of the cover 55to the base.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type ofconnector 57 that enables the cover 55 to be removably connected to thebase. In some of these embodiments, the connector 57 is sufficientlyrobust to hold the cover 55 in place during normal operation, butbecomes completely detached from the base (intermediate circle 39 andouter circle 41) upon application of a certain force. For example, insome of these embodiments, a force applied to the cover 55 in adirection away from the base, such as perpendicular to the base,accomplishes this detachment.

As one example, a facility occupant (using his or her hand) can graspand pull the cover 55 away from the base to separate the cover 55 fromthe base. In some of these embodiments, the cover 55 is structured tofacilitate a facility occupant grasping and pulling the cover. Forexample, the cover can include one or more contact portions 59 that canbe used by the facility occupant as leverage, i.e., enabling thefacility occupant being able to maintain a sufficient grip with thecover 55 to apply the requisite pulling force to achieve separation ofthe cover 55. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise covercontact portions 59 having any structure to performs the aboveoperation. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2D, the contactportions 59 include convex extensions extending from top and bottomsurfaces of the cover 55. However, these convex extensions can beprovided at other locations of the cover. In fact, instead of convexextensions, the contact portions can include concavities that enable oneor more of a facility occupant's fingers to grasp the cover 55 with therequisite force to enable separation of the cover 55 form the base.

As indicated above, embodiments are intended to include any type orconfiguration of actuator that enables manual actuation resulting intransmission of the lockdown initiation signal to the controller 9. FIG.2E is a schematic of an actuator in accordance with an alternativeexemplary embodiment. The actuator 61 shown in FIG. 2E includes arectangular base 63 that is connectable to a static object, such as awall of the facility at issue. The base 63 can include indicia thatfacilitates recognition or identification of the actuator. For example,in the embodiment of FIG. 2E, the base 63 is provided with the word“LOCKDOWN” to facilitate a facility occupant's recognition thatactuation of the actuator 61 results in initiation of lockdownprocedures.

A button 65 is provided within an indention defined in the base 63. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 2E, the button defines a circular surface, andthe indentation 67 is octagonal. These shapes may be beneficial fornumerous reasons. For example, the circular shape of the button 65 iseasily distinguishable from standard fire alarm pull stations, which aretypically rectangular or square in shape. In addition, the octagonalshape of the indentation 67 may be beneficial by inherentlycommunicating a sense of urgency, caution, significance, etc. by virtueof its similarity to the shape of stop signs that are prolificallyprovided at highways. In other words, many facility occupants willanalogize the octagonal shape with the urgency, caution, significance,etc., typically experienced upon encountering a stop sign on a highway.The button can include other structures to facilitate a user's ease inoperating the actuator 61. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2E,the surface of the button 65 is provided with the indicia “PUSH” 69.

The base 63 may be attached to an exterior of a static surface, such asa wall of the facility, such that a thickness of the base 63 projectsfrom the exterior surface of the wall. Alternatively, the base 63 can bemounted into a recess of the wall, such that the exterior surface of thebase 63 is flush with the exterior surface of the wall. In this case, anexterior surface of the button 65, which is disposed in the indentation67 of the base 63, may also be flush with the exterior surface of thewall and the exterior surface of the base 63, relative to a directionperpendicular to the exterior surfaces.

Alternatively, the button 63 may be disposed and configured such thatits exterior surface is spaced outwardly from one or both of theexterior surface of the wall and the exterior surface of the base 63,which may enhance the button's visibility to facility occupants.Alternatively, the button may be recessed within the concavity of theindentation 67, which may impede or prevent unintentional actuation.

FIG. 2F is a schematic of an actuator in accordance with anotheralternative exemplary embodiment. The structure of the actuator 71 ofFIG. 2F is similar in some respects to the structure of the actuator ofFIG. 2E. For example, the actuator 71 includes a rectangular base 73 andan octagonal button 75 disposed in an indentation 77 formed in the base73.

However, a cover is provided to shield access to the button 75. As shownin FIG. 2F, the cover 79 is transparent and thereby enables a facilityoccupant to view the button 75 even when the cover 79 is disposed toshield the button 75. The cover is attached to the base 73 by a pair ofpins 81 at opposing upper sides of the base 73 and cover 79, whichenables the cover 79 to be manually rotated upward/downward about theaxis of each pin 81.

The cover 79 includes a lower gripping portion 83 that is configured tofacilitate a facility occupant gripping the cover 79 to rotate the coverupward to access the button 75. In the embodiment of FIG. 2F, the lowergripping portion 83 extends between upper surfaces of the sides of thecover to provide access to a rear surface of the lower gripping portion83. In other words, the lower gripping portion 83 is disposed andconfigured to enable a facility occupant to place one or more fingersunder the lower gripping portion 83 and thereby grasp the lower grippingportion 83 to rotate the cover 79 upward to provide access to the button75. The lower gripping portion can include structures to facilitate afacility occupant's understanding as to how to rotate the cover 79 toexpose the button 75. In some of these embodiments, the lower grippingportion 83 includes indicia to facilitate this operation, such as “LIFTHERE.”

Many of the actuators disclosed above are statically or otherwisepermanently mounted, and in particular mounted on static objects.Providing the actuators at permanent or semi-permanent locations may bebeneficial because it provides the facility occupants with theopportunity to be aware of the actuator locations, so that the facilityoccupants can efficiently locate the actuators when needed.

It may be especially beneficial to dispose the permanently orsemi-permanently mounted actuators at numerous locations throughout thefacility to enable the facility occupants to efficiently, easily, andquickly access the actuators if necessary. In some of these embodiments,these benefits are further enhanced by disposing the actuators atlocations that are easily accessed by large numbers of facilityoccupants, such as at along common hallways, hubs of hallways, areasfrequented by large numbers of facility occupants, etc. The actuatorscan be dispersed throughout the facility so that adjacent actuators arespaced apart by a maximum distance. For example, the actuators can bedistributed throughout the facility so that the maximum distanceseparating adjacent actuators is 50 feet, which increases the likelihoodof swift and easy access to an actuator.

As disclosed above, the actuators can be configured to facilitate swiftand easy identification and recognition by facility occupants, and to bedistinguishable from other apparatus, such as fire alarm pull stations.As one example, portions of the actuators can be colored to enhanceidentification and recognition. For example, portions of the actuator,such as the button, can be colored bright green and/or blue. Inaddition, various indicia can be provided on the actuator, such as“LOCKDOWN” or “LOCKDOWN ALARM” to identify the actuator, and “PUSH” toidentify the button. It would be beneficial to provide the indicia withlettering of a sufficient size to enhance identification, such as usinguppercase letters that are at least 2 inches high. It would also bebeneficial to provide the indicia in a color that enhances itsrecognizability. For example, if the indicia is provided on a base orbutton that is dark in color, then the indicia should be light in color,such as white.

It would also be beneficial for the button of the various embodiments tobe a sufficient size to facilitate its identification as well as itsoperation. In other words, the button should be large enough so that itis easily recognizable by facility occupants, and is easy to push evenunder circumstances where the facility occupant is subjected to highstress. In some of these embodiments that include a circular button, thebutton has a diameter of four to seven inches. In some of theseembodiments that include a rectangular button, each side of the buttonhas a length of four to seven inches.

Actuation of some of the actuator disclosed above require or otherwiseinvolve all or portions of the actuator moving, such as in a directionperpendicular to a front exterior surface of the actuator. However,embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover other types ofactuators or actuating mechanisms. For example, some actuators mayinclude electronic actuation mechanisms, such as touch screen displays.For example, a virtual button can be provided on a display, such thattouching the virtual button constitutes actuation, i.e., results intransmission of the lockdown initiation signal. However, still otherembodiments include similar but different actuators, including allknown, related art and later developed actuation mechanisms. It may bebeneficial for any or all of these electronic and/or other actuationmechanisms to be complimented by a cover or other mechanism to impede,reduce or prevent unintended actuations. For example, some of theactuators that transmit the lockdown initiation signal via a touchscreen display may include a cover, such as any of the covers disclosedabove, to impede, reduce or prevent unintended actuations.

The actuators are disclosed above in the context of being permanentlyand statically mounted. However, actuators of other embodiments can beconfigured to be mobile. In many of these embodiments, the actuators areconfigured to be carried by facility occupants. Embodiments are intendedto include or otherwise cover any configuration that facilitates ormakes convenient the carrying of the mobile actuators. For example, themobile actuator can be configured as a pendant and thus hung around theneck of a facility occupant, or as a bracelet hung around the wrist. Instill other embodiments, the mobile actuator is configured to be clippedor otherwise attached to the facility occupant's cloths, attached to afacility occupant's key chain, etc. In many of these embodiments, theactuator is small in size, such as a size defined by a 3 inch diameterin the case of circular actuators, or 3 inches by 3 inches in the caseof square actuators.

In addition to being configured to make it easy and convenient forfacility occupants to carry the mobile actuators, they may also beconfigured to impede or prevent unintentional actuations. For example,the mobile actuators may include some or all of the structures, orsimilar structures, disclosed above to impede or prevent unnecessaryactuations in the context of static actuators. For example, the mobileactuators may only transmit the lockdown initiation signal followingapplication of a sufficient amount of force, application of force for asufficient period, application for force in a sufficiently perpendiculardirection, etc. In addition or as an alternative to the abovestructures, the mobile actuators can be configured to include othermechanisms to avoid unintentional actuations, such as multiple buttons.In some of these embodiments, the mobile actuators only transmit thelockdown initiation signal if two separate buttons are pressedsimultaneously. In some of these embodiments, the two buttons aredisposed on opposite sides of the mobile actuator to reduce thelikelihood of inadvertent actuations as well as to enhance the ease ofintended actuations. In other embodiments, one of the buttons isdisposed on a side of the mobile actuator, and the other button isdisposed on a front or rear face.

As another alternative to the embodiments that include buttons that mustbe simultaneously pressed for actuation, other embodiments include twoseparate mechanisms that include a safety mechanism and an actuationmechanism. For example, the mobile actuators of some of theseembodiments can include a safety switch that must be toggled orotherwise moved into an active state. In the active state, pressing orotherwise actuating the actuation mechanism, such as a button, will onlycause the mobile actuator to transmit the lockdown initiation signal ifthe safety switch is in the active state. Contrarily, pressing orotherwise actuating the actuation mechanism, such as a button, will notcause the mobile actuator to transmit the lockdown initiation signal ifthe safety switch is in an inactive state. Some of these embodimentsinclude safety mechanism similar to those included in weapons, such asguns.

Various aspects of the mobile actuators can be configured to facilitateease of use, etc. For example, the separate buttons or mechanisms caninclude indicia, different colors, etc., to make them more recognizableor their operation more understandable to facility occupants. The mobileactuations are also intended to include or otherwise cover any of theother structures, mechanisms, etc., disclosed above in the context ofstatic actuators, including colors, indicia, etc.

Some embodiments include or otherwise cover selectively providing mobileactuators to only certain facility occupants, or types of facilityoccupants. Determining the facility occupants or types of facilityoccupants who are to be provided with the mobile actuators can be basedon a balancing of multiple issues, such as tendency for unintentionalactuations, likelihood of intended actuations, speed or ease ofactuating a static/permanently mounted actuator, etc.

For example, in the context of a school, typical students may not beprovided with mobile actuators to impede, reduce or prevent unintendedactuations. However, in some embodiments, certain students may beprovided with mobile actuators, such as students who are disabled orotherwise unable to access static/permanently mounted actuators. In someof these embodiments, all teachers and/or other adult school officialsmay be provided with mobile actuators to enhance the speed and ease withwhich intended actuations can be performed. In some other embodiments,only certain teachers or school officials may be provided with mobileactuators to impede, reduce or prevent unintended actuations. In otherwords, the likelihood of unintended actuations is decreased by reducingthe number of mobile actuators.

The determination as to which teachers or school officials are to beprovided with mobile actuators can be based on various factors. Forexample, a certain number of teachers per region of the school can beprovided with the mobile actuators, which will provide the ability totransmit the lockdown initiation signal if the static/permanentlymounted actuators in that region of the school cannot be accessed or ifsuch access becomes difficult. As another example, teachers who are notlocated proximate static/permanently mounted actuators can be providedwith mobile actuators, such as teachers who are outside of the school,e.g., at recess, physical education, etc.

B. Annunciator

The at least one annunciator 5 can include any structure orconfiguration to perform the operation of communicating initiation oflockdown procedures to individuals at or in proximity to the facilityupon receipt of the activation signal. It may be especially beneficialfor the audible communication of lockdown procedures to bedistinguishable from the audible communication of other conditions, suchas a fire alarm, for reasons disclosed above. It may also be beneficialfor the annunciator to be structurally distinguishable from otherannunciators, such as fire alarm annunciators, to enhance the facilityoccupants' ability to distinguish the lockdown audible annunciation fromother audible annunciations, such as a fire alarm audible annunciation.

FIG. 3A is a schematic of an annunciator in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment. The annunciator 5 of FIG. 3A defines a circularfront exterior face 101, which may be beneficial based on its similarityin shape to the exemplary actuator 3 shown in FIG. 2A. For example,sharing the same circular shape may enhance the facility occupants'ability to more easily recognize that the source of the audibleannunciation, i.e., the annunciator 5, communicates initiation oflockdown procedures, as opposed to other procedures, such as a firealarm. The annunciator 5 may also share the same or similar color (suchas blue) as the actuator 3 or other components of the lockdown systemfor the same reason, i.e., to facilitate the facility occupants'recognition of the audible communication of the lockdown procedures asopposed to other procedures, such as a fire alarm. In fact, providingany or all of the components of the lockdown systems disclosed hereinwith the same or similar shapes, colors, etc., may also provide thesebenefits.

In addition or as an alternative to the above physical characteristicsof the annunciator 5 that make it more easily distinguishable for otherfacility systems, such as a fire alarm, the annunciator 5 can includeindicia identifying it as part of the lockdown system. For example, inthe embodiment of FIG. 3A, the annunciator includes the indicia“LOCKDOWN” 103 at the top and bottom of its front exterior face 101 toenhance the ability of facility occupants to recognize that the sourceof the audible annunciation is the lockdown annunciator 5.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any known,related art, or later developed technologies for enabling, facilitating,and/or causing the communication of the audible lockdown annunciationupon receipt of the activation signal. In many embodiments, some of allof the components that generate the audible annunciation, including butnot limited to speakers, electronics, etc., are disposed within a bodyor casing 105 of the annunciator 5. This configuration may be beneficialby shielding or protecting the audio generating components from damage.In fact, in some embodiments, some or all of these components can bereinforced to prevent damage, such as may result from the intentionalactions of an individual whose actions create the circumstanceswarranting the lockdown. For example, some embodiments include shieldingor other protective mechanisms to reduce, minimize or avoid damage tothese components that could result from fire arms or other intentionalexternal forces.

The body or casing 105 can include structure(s) to facilitatecommunication of the audible annunciation that are generated by thecomponents disposed within the body or casing 105 to the facilityoccupants. For example, the embodiment of FIG. 3A includes slits 107that extend through the front face 101 that facilitate the travel ofsound waves that are generated within the body or casing 105 to outsideof the body or casing 105. The embodiment of FIG. 3A includes multipleslits, however embodiments are intended to include or otherwise coverany number of slits (including only a single slit). The slits do notneed to be defined in the front face 101, and instead can be defined inany of the other surfaces of the body or casing 105, such as in thesides thereof, which may be beneficial in certain circumstances, such aswhere the annunciator 5 is mounted on the wall of a hallway or otherelongated space, which may facilitate the travel of the sound wavesalong the hallway or elongated space. Other embodiments do not includeelongated slits, and instead include non-elongated holes defined in anyof the walls of the body or casing 105, such as circular shaped holes.

The body or casing 105 can be configured for mounting to any relevantsurface, such as a static surface. In some of these embodiments, thebody or casing 105 is configured for mounting to a wall of the facility.In many such embodiments, it may be preferable to mount the annunciator5 sufficiently high on the wall to reduce the likelihood of theannunciator being subjected to intentional tampering or accidentalcontacts. In other embodiments, the body or casing 5 is configured formounting to a ceiling of the facility, which may be beneficial forvarious reasons, such as reducing the likelihood of the annunciatorbeing subjected to intentional tampering or accidental contacts,enhancing the travel of sound waves, ease of wiring at installation,etc.

FIG. 3B is a schematic of an annunciator in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment. The alternative annunciator 109 ofFIG. 3B includes a rectangular casing 111, and circular holes 113extending through the exterior face of the casing 111. In thisembodiment, the holes 113 are arranged in a circular configuration whichmay be beneficial for reasons disclosed above with regard to thecircular casing 101 of FIG. 3A. Specifically, sharing the same circularshape as the actuator 3 may enhance the facility occupants' ability tomore easily recognize that the source of the audible annunciation, i.e.,the annunciator 109, communicates initiation of lockdown procedures, asopposed to other procedures, such as a fire alarm.

The annunciator 109 of FIG. 3B can include any of the other structuresand/or operations disclosed above with regard to the annunciator 5 ofFIG. 3A. For example, the annunciator 109 can include indicia, such asthe word “LOCKDOWN” 115, for reasons of identification disclosed abovewith regard to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 3B, this indicia is provided on each side 117 of the rectangularcasing 111.

The annunciator 109 can include still other structures and operationsnot disclosed above. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, an indicator114 is included to provide additional indication or confirmation to thefacility occupants of initiation of lockdown procedures, which may bebeneficial for a variety of reasons. For example, this additionalindication may supplement the content of the annunciation (such as“LOCKDOWN, LOCKDOWN, LOCKDOWN”) to further facilitate facility occupantsto distinguish the lockdown alarm from another system, such as a firealarm. In other words, actuation of the indicator 114 enables facilityoccupants to better understand that the audible annunciationcommunicated by the annunciator 109 relates to lockdown procedures,especially based on the indicia “LOCKDOWN” 115 provided on the sides 117of the rectangular casing 111.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any indicator 114that is configured to generate or otherwise provide any type or form ofadditional indication that supplements or is in some way different fromthe audible annunciation. In some of these embodiments, the additionalindication is in the form of light, such as light generated by any ofthe disclosed visual indicators disclosed herein. In some otherembodiments, the additional indication constitutes a form or type ofindication other than light, including but not limited to indicationsthat help to draw the attention of facility occupants to the annunciator109 and to more clearly understand or recognize the message providedthereby.

In operation, it may be beneficial for the audible annunciation that isgenerated by any of the embodiments to easily and quickly obtain theattention of facility occupants, while also being distinguishable fromother communications, such as a fire alarm, other announcements madeover an intercom system, etc. Embodiments are intended to include orotherwise cover any audible annunciations that satisfy the abovecharacteristics.

In some embodiments, the audible annunciation initiates with a loud anddistinctive sound, such as an electronically generated siren, monotone,bell, chime, whoop, or other noise that obtains the attention offacility occupants. In some of these embodiments, this initial noise isbrief and continuous, such as for a duration of approximately one tofive seconds, and is followed by the word “lockdown,” which communicatesto the facility occupants that the alarm signifies the initiation oflockdown procedures. In many of these embodiments, the word “lockdown”is repeated any number of times to enhance the facility occupants'recognition of the initiation of lockdown procedures. In some of theseembodiments, the word “lockdown” is communicated three times in rapidsuccession. In addition, in many embodiments, the word “lockdown” iscommunicated in a tone to express urgency. These embodiments areespecially beneficial because they quickly communicate the initiation oflockdown procedures to facility occupants, because the initial noiseobtains the facility occupants' attention, and once the attention isobtained, the word(s) lockdown communicates to the facility occupantsthat they need to follow lockdown procedures. In some embodiments, theinitial noise is generated again following communication of the word(s)“lockdown.”

The initial noise followed by the word(s) lockdown, and then in someembodiments a repetition of the initial noise, constitutes a singlealarm cycle. In some embodiments, the alarm cycle is repeated any numberof times, such as three or four times, to enhance the facilityoccupants' recognition of the initiation of lockdown procedures. It maybe especially beneficial for total duration of the alarm, including allrepeated cycles, to be tailored to be sufficiently long to provideenhanced recognition by the facility occupants of initiation of lockdownprocedures, but to not be unduly long and thereby reduce negativeimpacts, i.e., creating additional chaos and/or confusion, negativelyimpacting positive communications, such as communications betweenemergency responders, facility officials, etc. Thus, the total durationof the alarm, including all repeated cycles, of many embodiments is lessthan approximately 90 seconds, and in some of these embodiments isbetween approximately 60 seconds to approximately 90 seconds.Embodiments that reset the alarm after a limited number of cycles arealso beneficial because they obviate the responding authoritiesresetting or turning off the alarm, enabling the responding authoritiesto focus on the circumstances warranting the lockdown.

C. Visual Indicator

The at least one visual indicator 7 can include any structure orconfiguration to perform the operation of communicating initiation oflockdown procedures to individuals at or in proximity to the facilityupon receipt of the activation signal. It may be especially beneficialfor the visual indication of lockdown procedures to be distinguishablefrom the visual indication of other conditions, such as the lights of afire alarm strobe, for reasons disclosed above. It may also bebeneficial for the visual indicator itself to be structurallydistinguishable from other visual indicators, such as fire alarm visualindicators (strobes), to enhance the facility occupants' ability todistinguish the lockdown visual indication from other visualindications, such as the fire alarm strobe.

FIG. 4A is a schematic of a visual indicator in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment. The exemplary visual indicator 7 of FIG. 4Aincludes a casing 121 defines a circular front exterior face, which maybe beneficial based on its similarity in shape to the exemplary actuator3 shown in FIG. 2A and annunciator shown in FIG. 3A. For example,sharing the same circular shape may enhance the facility occupants'ability to more easily recognize that the source of the visualindication, i.e., the visual indicator 7, communicates initiation oflockdown procedures, as opposed to other procedures, such as a firealarm. The visual indicator 7 may also share the same or similar color(such as blue) as the actuator 3, annunciator 5, or other components ofthe lockdown system for the same reason, i.e., to facilitate thefacility occupants' recognition of the visual indication of the lockdownprocedures as opposed to other procedures, such as a fire alarm. Infact, providing any or all of the components of the lockdown systemsdisclosed herein with the same or similar shapes, colors, etc., may alsoprovide these benefits.

In addition or as an alternative to the above physical characteristicsof the visual indicator 7 that make it more easily distinguishable forother facility systems, such as a fire alarm, the visual indicator 7 caninclude indicia identifying it as part of the lockdown system. Forexample, in the embodiment of FIG. 4A, the visual indicator 7 includesthe indicia “LOCKDOWN” 123 at the top of its front exterior face toenhance the ability of facility occupants to recognize that the sourceof the visual indication is the visual indicator 7.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any known,related art, or later developed technologies for enabling, facilitating,and/or causing the generation and communication of the visual indicationof lockdown upon receipt of the activation signal. In many embodiments,the visual indicator 7 includes a light generating device 125 providedunder a transparent or semi-transparent cover that enables lightgenerated within the visual indicator to be transmitted through thecover for viewing by facility occupants. The transparent orsemi-transparent cover may be beneficial by protecting or shielding thelight generating device 125 from damage, dirt, debris, etc.

It may be especially beneficial for the light that is generated andcommunicated by the light generating device 125 to be distinguishablefrom light generated by other systems, such as fire alarm systems forreasons discussed above. For example, light generated by fire alarms istypically clear or not colored, and thus it may be beneficial for thelight generated and communicated by the light generating device 125 tobe colored. It may be especially beneficial if this colored light isconsistent with color(s) used with other components of the lockdownsystem to facilitate the facility occupants' recognition of the visualindication of the lockdown procedures as opposed to other procedures,such as a fire alarm. For example, the light that is generated andcommunicated through the cover can be the same or a similar color (suchas blue) as the actuator 3, annunciator 5, exterior of the visualindicator 7, or other components of the lockdown system for the samereason, i.e., to facilitate the facility occupants' recognition of thevisual indication of the lockdown procedures as opposed to otherprocedures, such as a fire alarm. Other exemplary colors for the lightand components of the lockdown system include yellow, bright green, etc.

As an alternative to generating light of different colors, the lightthat is generated by the light generation device 125 can be clear andthe transparent or semi-transparent cover can be colored so that thelight transmitted therethrough adopts the color of the cover. Thisfeature may be especially beneficial for product manufacturing and/ordistributing purposes. For example, the same light generating device fordifferent systems, i.e., lockdown system, fire system, etc., can beused, and ultimately installed under different covers. For example, thelight generating device can be installed with a colored cover for alockdown system, and a clear cover for a fire alarm.

It may be beneficial for the light generated and communicated by thelight generation device 125 to be relatively bright to enhancerecognition by facility occupants of initiation of lockdown procedures.For example, the light generation device 125 can be a strobe thatutilizes Xenon with a minimum of approximately 75 candelas and a maximumof approximately 200 candelas. In addition, it may be beneficial for thelight generating device to generate and communicate flashing light toenhance the facility occupants' recognition of initiation of lockdownprocedures. The flash pattern of some embodiments is especially designedto obtain the attention of facility occupants. Some of these embodimentsprovide a flash pattern of approximately 60 flashes per minute.

As indicated above, the annunciator of some embodiments is reset andthus ceases providing an audible annunciation after a certain period toreduce chaos, reduce interruption of communications between emergencyresponders, etc. However, generation of light by the light generationdevice 125 does not cause the same level of disruption and/or chaos asthe audible annunciation. Thus, the light generation device 125 of manyembodiments continues to generate and communicate light, even after theaudible annunciation resets, to continue communicating that lockdownprocedures are in effect. Facility occupants are thereby notified of thecontinuation of lockdown procedures until the lockdown is officiallyended, and the visual indication manually reset or turned off.

FIG. 4B is a schematic of a visual indicator in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment. The visual indicator 127 of FIG. 4Bincludes a square housing 129 that is mountable to a static surface,such as a wall or ceiling of the facility. In this embodiment, the topand bottom of the front exterior surface of the housing 129 include theindicia “LOCKDOWN” to facilitate the facility occupants' recognition ofthe visual indicator 127 being a component of the lockdown system, asopposed to a different system, such as a fire alarm. The visualindicator 127 also includes a light generation device 133 provided undera cover to generate and communicate light upon initiation of lockdownprocedures. Any or all of the aspects and features discussed above withregard to the visual indicator 7 of FIG. 4A are also application to thevisual indicator of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4C is a schematic of a visual indicator in accordance with anotheralternative exemplary embodiment. The visual indicator 135 of FIG. 4Cincludes an attachment bracket 137 that facilitates attachment of thevisual indicator 135 to a static surface, such as a wall, beam, etc. Thevisual indicator 135 also includes a light generation device 139provided within a casing 141 that protects or shields the lightgeneration device 139 from damage, debris, dirt, etc. In fact, thecasing 141 can be sufficiently resilient or robust to enable the visualindicator 135 to be mounted in challenging locations, such as outdoors,in factories, industrial facilities, prisons, etc. Any or all of theaspects and features discussed above with regard to the visual indicator7 of FIG. 4A and the visual indicator 127 of FIG. 4B are also applicableto the visual indicator 135 of FIG. 4C.

D. Combination of System Components

The embodiments are disclosed above in the context of the actuator,annunciator, and visual indicator constituting separate and discretecomponents. However, any or all of these components can be combined. Forexample, all three of these components can be combined into a singleintegrated apparatus, or any two of these components can be combined.Combining some or all of these components can be beneficial for variousreasons, including but not limited to ease in manufacturing,distribution, and/or installation.

FIG. 5A is a schematic of a combined annunciator and visual indicator inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment. The combined annunciator andvisual indicator is intended to include any and all of the features ofthose devices disclosed above.

The combined device 143 of FIG. 5A includes a circular common casing145, which includes the indicia “LOCKDOWN” 147. The circular shape ofthe casing 145 and “LOCKDOWN” indicia may be beneficial for reasonsidentified above. The casing 145 can be configured for mounting on astatic surface of the facility, such as on a wall or ceiling.

As disclosed with some of the above embodiments, components forgenerating an audible annunciation (such as speakers, electronics, etc.)are disposed within the casing 145. The casing 145 can includestructure(s) to facilitate communication of the audible annunciationthat are generated by the components disposed within the body or casing145 to the facility occupants. For example, the embodiment of FIG. 5Aincludes slits 149 that extend through the front face that facilitatethe travel of sound waves that are generated within the body or casing145 to outside of the body or casing 145. The embodiment of FIG. 5Aincludes multiple slits, however embodiments are intended to include orotherwise cover any number of slits (including only a single slit).

In the embodiment of FIG. 5A, a light generating device 151 is providedat the front exterior face of the casing 145 under a transparent orsemi-transparent cover that enables light generated to be transmittedthrough the cover for viewing by facility occupants. The transparent orsemi-transparent cover may be beneficial by protecting or shielding thelight generating device 151 from damage, dirt, debris, etc.

FIG. 5B is a schematic of a combined annunciator and visual indicator inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment. The combined annunciatorand visual indicator is intended to include any and all of the featuresof those devices disclosed above.

The combined device 153 of FIG. 5B includes a square common casing 155,which includes the indicia “LOCKDOWN” 157. The “LOCKDOWN” indicia may bebeneficial for reasons identified above. The casing 155 can beconfigured for mounting on a static surface of the facility, such as ona wall or ceiling.

As disclosed with some of the above embodiments, components forgenerating an audible annunciation (such as speakers, electronics, etc.)are disposed within the casing 155. The casing 155 can includestructure(s) to facilitate communication of the audible annunciationthat are generated by the components disposed within the body or casing155 to the facility occupants. For example, the embodiment of FIG. 5Bincludes slits 159 that extend through the front face that facilitatethe travel of sound waves that are generated within the body or casing145 to outside of the body or casing 145. In the embodiment of FIG. 5B,the slits are formed in a circular pattern, which may be beneficial forreasons identified above. The embodiment of FIG. 5B includes multiplecircular slits, however embodiments are intended to include or otherwisecover any number of slits (including only a single slit).

In the embodiment of FIG. 5B, a light generating device 161 is providedat the front exterior face of the casing 155 under a transparent orsemi-transparent cover 163 that enables light generated to betransmitted through the cover 163 for viewing by facility occupants. Thetransparent or semi-transparent cover 163 may be beneficial byprotecting or shielding the light generating device 161 from damage,dirt, debris, etc. The light generating device 161 and cover 163 aredisposed on the slits 159 defined in the front exterior face of thecasing 155, which may be beneficial for various reasons, such as toaddress space constraints.

E. Controller

The controller 9 can include any structure or configuration to performthe operation(s) of: 1) transmitting the activation signal to the atleast one annunciator 5 and/or visual indicator 7 upon receipt of thelockdown initiation signal from the actuator 3; and/or 2) transmittingthe communication signal to the at least one authorized recipient 11upon receipt of the lockdown initiation signal from the actuator 3. Thecontroller 9 can include any structure or configuration to perform anyof the operations, determinations, decisions, communications, etc.,disclosed above in the context of any of the system components,including but not limited to the actuator, annunciator, and visualindicator. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover anyand all known, related art, and/or later developed technologies forperforming these operations.

The controller 9 can be disposed at any location. For example, thecontroller 9 can be disposed at the facility, proximate the facility, orat a location that is not proximate the facility. In embodiments wherethe controller 9 is disposed at the facility, it may be beneficial forthe controller 9 to be disposed at a secured location to reduce thelikelihood of intentional tampering as well as unintentional damage,such as in an electrical closet, a facility official's office, etc. Inmany of these embodiments, the controller 9 may be disposed proximateother similar apparatus, such as fire alarm control panels, securitysystem panels, HVAC controllers, electrical panels, etc. In addition,the controller 9 may be disposed within a protective cabinet, such as alocked or otherwise sealed container, to reduce the likelihood oftampering, damage, etc.

Contrarily, the control panel can be disposed at any location notproximate the facility, such as at a central monitoring station, policestation, etc. In fact, the control panel can be cloud based, and/orprocessing can be performed by a remotely disposed server.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any known,related art, or later developed technologies for signal transmission toand/or from the controller 9, regardless of the location of thecontroller 9 For example, the signals to and/or from the controller 9can be transmitted via wires, wirelessly, via a network, via theInternet, etc.

F. Overall System

As disclosed above with regard to FIG. 1, upon receipt of the lockdowninitiation signal from the actuator 3, the controller 9 transmits anactivation signal to the at least one annunciator 5 and an activationsignal to the visual indicator 7. The at least one annunciator 5 andvisual indicator 7 constitute separate and discrete components thatseparately communicate initiation of lockdown procedures to individualsat or in proximity to the facility upon receipt of the activationsignal.

1. Combined Annunciator and Visual Indicator—FIG. 6

However, the annunciator and visual indicator can be combined, asdisclosed in the context of FIGS. 5A and 5B. In that case, thecontroller only needs to send a single activation signal to the combinedannunciator and visual indicator. FIG. 6 is a schematic of a lockdownsystem in accordance with an alternative exemplary embodiment thatincludes a combined annunciator and visual indicator.

As shown in FIG. 6, manual actuation of an actuator 173 results intransmission of a lockdown initiation signal to a controller 179. Uponreceipt of the lockdown initiation signal, the controller 179 transmitsan activation signal to the combined annunciator and visual indicator175. The combined annunciator and visual indicator 175 communicateinitiation of lockdown procedures to individuals at or in proximity tothe facility upon receipt of the activation signal. Upon receipt of thelockdown initiation signal, the controller 179 also transmits acommunication signal to at least one authorized recipient 181. It isintended that the modified system of FIG. 6 include any and all of thealternative and additional features and operations that are disclosedwith regard to the system shown in FIG. 1, as well as the componentsseparately shown in the other figures.

2. Alternative Controller—FIG. 7

As an alternative, or in addition to any of the above features, thecontroller of some embodiments can be integrated with, or otherwise bein communication with, other systems, controllers, and/or processors.FIG. 7 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment that is integrated with, or isotherwise in communication with, another system. Embodiments areintended to include or otherwise cover any type of system, controller,or processor, including but not limited to a fire alarm system, securitysystem, telephone system, etc.

The lockdown system of FIG. 7 includes at least one actuator 183, atleast one annunciator 185, at least one visual indicator 187, and acontroller 189. The at least one actuator 183, annunciator 185, andvisual indicator 187 are located at or proximate to the facility. Thecontroller 189 can be located at or proximate to the facility, oralternatively disposed away from the facility.

In accordance with this embodiment, and similarly with the embodiment ofFIG. 1, manual actuation of the actuator 183 results in transmission ofa lockdown initiation signal to the controller 189. Upon receipt of thelockdown initiation signal, the controller 189 transmits an activationsignal to the at least one annunciator 185 and visual indicator 187. Theat least one annunciator 185 and visual indicator 187 communicateinitiation of lockdown procedures to individuals at or in proximity tothe facility upon receipt of the activation signal.

Some of these embodiments are similar to the FIG. 1 embodiment, in that,upon receipt of the lockdown initiation signal, the controller 189transmits a communication signal to at least one authorized recipient191A. In many embodiments, the at least one authorized recipient 191Aincludes a centralized facility of authorized personnel for respondingto emergencies, including but not limited to a police station, firestation, medical dispatch unit, etc.

However, contrary to the FIG. 1 embodiment, the controller 189 of theFIG. 7 embodiment can transmit/receive a signal, or otherwise be incommunication with, another system, such as alternative controller 193.As indicated above, this alternative controller 193 can be a componentof a fire alarm system, security system, telephone system, accesscontrol system, etc. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwisecover any type of signals or communications transmitted between thecontroller 189 and alternative controller 193, such as data that may berelevant to either or both systems. In fact, the signals transmitted caninclude things other than data, such as the transmission of electricalpower, including but not limited to a back-up power supply.

In some of these embodiments, the controller 189, upon receipt of thelockdown initiation signal, transmits a communication signal indicatinginitiation of lockdown procedures to the alternative controller 193,which then transmits the appropriate signal to the at least oneauthorized recipient 191B. In many of these embodiments, the controller189, contrary to the FIG. 1 embodiment, would therefore not directlytransmit the communication signal to the at least one authorizedrecipient because this signal would be duplicative of the communicationsignal transmitted by the alternative controller 193. However, in someembodiments, both the controller 189 and the alternative controller 193transmit communication signals indicating initiation of lockdownprocedures. In some of these embodiments, the communication signals thatare transmitted are different, i.e., include different data or differentmessaging, and/or are transmitted to different authorized recipients.However, in other embodiments, both the controller 189 and thealternative controller 193 transmit the same communication signal to thesame authorized recipient, such as to ensure or otherwise enhance thechances of receipt thereof.

3. Actuator Transmits Activation Signal—FIG. 8

As disclosed above with regard to FIG. 1, upon receipt of the lockdowninitiation signal from the actuator 3, the controller 9 transmits anactivation signal to the at least one annunciator 5 and an activationsignal to the visual indicator 7. In some embodiments, the at least oneannunciator 5 and visual indicator 7 constitute separate and discretecomponents that separately communicate initiation of lockdown proceduresto individuals at or in proximity to the facility upon receipt of theactivation signal. However, as with the embodiment of FIG. 6, thesecomponents can be combined to form a single combined annunciator andvisual indicator 175, and thus the controller 179 only transmits asingle activation signal to the combined annunciator and visualindicator 175.

However, the controller of some embodiments does not transmit theactivation signal to the annunciator and the visual indicator, andinstead these activation signal(s) can be transmitted directly from theactuator. FIG. 8 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance withan alternative exemplary embodiment, wherein the actuator directlytransmits the activation signal to the annunciator and visual indicator.

The lockdown system of FIG. 8 includes at least one actuator 203, atleast one annunciator 205, at least one visual indicator 207, and acontroller 209. The at least one actuator 203, annunciator 205, andvisual indicator 207 are located at or proximate to the facility. Thecontroller 209 can be located at or proximate to the facility, oralternatively disposed away from the facility.

In accordance with this embodiment, manual actuation of the actuator 203results in transmission of a lockdown initiation signal to the at leastone annunciator 205 and visual indicator 207. The at least oneannunciator 205 and visual indicator 207 communicate initiation oflockdown procedures to individuals at or in proximity to the facilityupon receipt of the activation signal. It is intended that the actuator203, annunciator 205, and visual indicator 207 of these embodimentsinclude any and all components, such as electronics, processors, etc.,to perform these operations, including certain components of thecontroller 9 of the FIG. 1 embodiment.

Manual actuation of the actuator 203 also results in transmission of alockdown initiation signal to the controller 209. Upon receipt of thelockdown initiation signal, the controller 209 transmits a communicationsignal to at least one authorized recipient 211. In many embodiments,the at least one authorized recipient 211 includes a centralizedfacility of authorized personnel for responding to emergencies,including but not limited to a police station, fire station, medicaldispatch unit, etc.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 may be especially beneficial for variousreasons. For example, directly transmitting the lockdown initiationsignal from the actuator 203 to the annunciator 205 and visual indicator207 may enhance or otherwise simplify installation, such as insituations where the actuator 203 is located proximate or relativelynear the annunciator 205 and visual indicator 207. In addition, thisconfiguration may enhance overall simplicity of the system, as well asother related benefits, including reliability.

4. Combined Actuator and Controller—FIG. 9

FIG. 9 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment, which combines the actuator and thecontroller. The lockdown system of FIG. 9 includes at least one combinedactuator/controller 303, at least one annunciator 305, and at least onevisual indicator 307. The combined actuator/controller 303, annunciator305, and visual indicator 307 are located at or proximate to thefacility.

In accordance with this embodiment, manual actuation of the combinedactuator/controller 303 results in transmission of a lockdown initiationsignal to the at least one annunciator 305 and visual indicator 307. Theat least one annunciator 305 and visual indicator 307 communicateinitiation of lockdown procedures to individuals at or in proximity tothe facility upon receipt of the activation signal. Manual actuation ofthe combined actuator/controller 303 also results in transmission of acommunication signal to at least one authorized recipient 311. In manyembodiments, the at least one authorized recipient 311 includes acentralized facility of authorized personnel for responding toemergencies, including but not limited to a police station, firestation, medical dispatch unit, etc. It is intended that the actuator303, annunciator 305, and visual indicator 307 of these embodimentsinclude any and all components, such as electronics, processors, etc.,to perform these operations, including components of the controller 9 ofthe FIG. 1 embodiment.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 may be especially beneficial for variousreasons. For example, combining the actuator and controller may enhanceor otherwise simplify installation, such as in situations where only asingle actuator is needed. In addition, this configuration may enhanceoverall simplicity of the system, as well as other related benefits,including reliability.

G. Additional/Other Features

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover numerous otherfeatures, as alternatives or in addition to, those features disclosedabove. A few such features are provided below for exemplary purposes,and are not intended to constitute a complete listing of otheralternative or additional features provided by certain embodiments.

1. Drill Mode

Some embodiments include a drill mode, which simulates in certainrespects an actual lockdown situation, but is in fact provided forreasons other than conducting an actual lockdown, such as for trainingor other purposes. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwisecover any and all methods and apparatus for initiating and performing alockdown drill.

Embodiments are intended to include any methods and apparatus forinitiating the drill mode. For example, in some embodiments,instructions can be entered into the controller, such as via a userinterface, to initiate the drill mode. The user interface can be in anyform, such as a keypad proximate the controller, a wireless device, etc.The drill mode can be initiated via the user interface in any manner,such as by entry of a certain code.

Alternatively, one or more selected actuators can include an inputdevice, such as a separate button or switch, that enables manualactuation of the drill mode. It may be preferable that only certainactuators include this feature to reduce the likelihood of a facilityoccupant unintentionally initiating the drill mode in situations wherean actual lockdown is desired. For example, it may be preferable thatthe actuators having the drill initiation feature only be disposedproximate a specially trained facility occupant, i.e., specificallytrained in drill procedures, such as a school principal. In other words,it may be preferable to dispose these special actuators in areas thatare only accessible by, or otherwise under the control of, facilityoccupants with authorization to initiate lockdown drills.

In some embodiments, the annunciation and visual indication performed inthe drill mode is identical to that performed in an actual lockdown.This feature may be beneficial by providing the facility occupants witha very realistic lockdown drill, which may enhance training procedures.In other embodiments, the annunciation and/or visual indicationperformed in the drill mode is different, such as slightly differentthan, that performed in an actual lockdown drill. For example, theaudible annunciation of the drill mode may include a voice communicatingthe words “LOCKDOWN DRILL,” instead of the word “LOCKDOWN” that isannunciated during an actual lockdown situation. This difference may bebeneficial by communicating to the facility occupants that theinstructed lockdown procedures are merely instructed as part of a drill,which may be helpful for various reasons, such as to reduce panic,alarm, etc., experienced by the facility occupants, to enhance trainingprocedures, etc.

In addition, many of these embodiments include a feature to cease thelockdown drill, and communicate to the facility occupants that no actuallockdown is in effect and that the procedures were merely initiated fortraining or other purposes. This feature can be executed via any methodsand apparatus, including the same apparatus used for initiating thelockdown drill.

In fact, some embodiments are configured to provide a “drill verbalalert” that will communicate that the event is only a drill. This “drillverbal alert” communication can be provided prior to annunciation of thelockdown tone/communication. Some embodiments are configured to alsoprovide an “all clear verbal message” for activation in “drill mode” tocommunicate that the drill is over, which may be beneficial forefficiently and effectively ending the lockdown drills. In manyembodiments, the all clear communication can only be provided while thealarm is in drill mode to prevent its erroneous annunciation in actuallockdowns.

In many of these embodiments, the controller does not communicateinitiation of a lockdown situation to the authorities upon initiation ofthe lockdown drill. This procedure is beneficial by avoiding negativeeffects of responding authorities responding to a facility that is notactually subject to circumstances warranting an actual lockdown.

2. Override Mode

Some embodiments include an override mode that overrides communicationof lockdown procedures subsequent to actual initiation. This feature maybe beneficial in situations where lockdown procedures were initiated inerror, such as via the accidental actuation of an actuator, to reducedisruption caused thereby.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any methods andapparatus for performing this override. For example, in someembodiments, instructions can be entered into the controller, such asvia a user interface, to override the lockdown. The user interface canbe in any form, such as a keypad proximate the controller, a wirelessdevice, etc. The override can be initiated via the user interface in anymanner, such as by entry of a certain code. Alternatively, one or moreselected actuators can include an input device, such as a separatebutton or switch, that enables actuation of the override.

It may be especially beneficial for the override to be initiated orotherwise performed in a manner to impede or prevent the unauthorizedoverride of the lockdown, such as by an individual whose actionswarranted the lockdown. For example, it may be preferable that onlycertain actuators include this override feature to reduce the likelihoodof the override being performed under improper circumstances. Forexample, it may be preferable that the actuators having the overridefeature only be disposed proximate a specially trained facilityoccupant, i.e., specifically trained in override procedures, such as aschool principal. In other words, it may be preferable to dispose thesespecial actuators in areas that are only accessible by, or otherwiseunder the control of, facility occupants with authorization to overridelockdowns.

3. Automatic Actuators

Some embodiments include actuators other than the manually operatedactuators disclosed above, in addition to, or as an alternative to, themanual actuators. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwiseinvolve any type of other actuator that may be beneficial.

For example, some of these other actuators include actuators thatautomatically transmit a lockdown initiation signal, such as to any ofthe controllers disclosed above for the purpose of initiating alockdown, upon sensing a certain event or condition. Some of theseembodiments include actuators that transmit the lockdown initiationsignal upon sensing a firearms discharge, such as a gunshot. Forexample, some of these actuators include acoustic sensors that senseacoustic aspects of such a firearms discharge. In addition or as analternative, some actuators sense smoke or other gases resulting from afirearms discharge.

However, other such actuators transmit the lockdown initiation signalupon sending or receiving information relating to conditions or eventsother than a firearms discharge. For example, some actuators transmitthe lockdown initiation signal upon receipt of data relating toimmediate threats, such as dangerous weather conditions (e.g., tornado,flash floods, etc.), explosions, hazardous materials conditions(HAZMAT), etc.

III. METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover various methodsand apparatus for implementing lockdown procedures, or otherwiseaddressing the circumstances warranting initiation of the lockdownprocedures subsequent to initiation. Some embodiments are describedbelow for exemplary purposes, but these embodiments are not intended toconstitute an exhaustive listing of all such methods and apparatuscovered by the invention. In fact, some of the embodiments are describedbelow in a very specific and limiting manner, however not allembodiments are intended to include these specific features andlimitations.

Various aspects of each of the apparatus and procedures disclosed belowprovide significant inventive benefits. However, other inventive aspectsarise through the interaction or combination of the apparatus with thedisclosed procedures. For example, certain of the disclosed proceduresare integrated with the apparatus to provide enhanced outcomes,including but not limited to training of relevant facility occupants asto usages of the apparatus. The exemplary apparatus and procedures aredisclosed below.

A. Exemplary Apparatus

1. Overall System

As disclosed above in the context of initiation of lockdown procedures,some embodiments of the apparatus constitute an emergency notificationalarm, and in particular a lockdown alarm. The lockdown alarm mimics incertain respects, but is operationally separate from, the facility'sexisting fire alarm. The alarm is intended to immediately notifyindividuals within the facility and surrounding area of a potential orreal violent threat. The alarm can be manually activated via actuatorsstrategically located throughout the school. The actuators transmit asignal to a controller, which then activates annunciators and strobesinstalled throughout the facility. The controller also sendsnotifications to the jurisdictional police and/or monitoring station(s).

Although the system can be customized for each facility, it may bebeneficial for the apparatus to include certain basic features. It maybe beneficial for stationary actuators to be disposed at receptionareas, points of entry, administrative offices, common areas, securitystations and hallways, similarly in many cases to locations of firealarm pull stations.

It may be beneficial for the actuator structure to facilitate simple andswift actuation (such as by a child), but to also impede accidentalactuation. Based on the above, it may be beneficial for the actuator toinclude a push button design that is covered with a transparentresilient cover (such as made of glass or plastic) attached to a baseplate via a spring-loaded hinge to allow access to the button. It may bebeneficial for the actuators to be labeled “LOCKDOWN,” and shaped andcolored to be easily distinguishable from fire alarm pull stations. Forexample, it may be beneficial for the actuator to be bright green orblue and the button circular, to distinguish over fire alarm pullstations and to enhance swift recognition and identification. It mayalso be beneficial for the button to be at least approximately twoinches in diameter (to facilitate ease of actuation), but also requireapproximately five pounds of pressure for actuation (to impedeaccidental actuation).

It may be beneficial for each of the actuators be designated with anidentifiable code that is specific to that actuator, and for theactuator to communicate that code with the lockdown initiation signal tothe controller upon being actuated. The controller may then be able todetermine the identity of the actuator that was actuated, and thisinformation may be beneficial for a variety of reasons, such as thosedisclosed above.

The lockdown annunciators should also be distinguishable from fireannunciators. It may be beneficial for the annunciators to includespeakers, which are separate from existing intercoms, and support 90 to120 decibels to provide a distinct and abrasive sound. In accordancewith some embodiments, a loud and continuous tone sounds forapproximately 10 to 15 seconds, followed by a pre-recorded audio messageof “lockdown, lockdown, lockdown,” and then another 10 to 15 seconds ofthe continuous tone. In some embodiments, this cycle repeats itselfthree or four times, for a duration of just over 60 to 90 seconds,before resetting itself. This annunciation may enhance swift recognitionof facility occupants that a lockdown situation has been initiated andmay avoid confusion as to whether the facility is in lockdown. Inaddition, ceasing the annunciation after the above period of 60 to 90seconds reduces the likelihood that the annunciation will interfere withcommunications with responding authorities.

However, the verbal message that is communicated to place the facilityin lockdown can be customized for the facility or type of facility. Forexample, certain verbal messages may be appropriate to place certaintypes of facilities in lockdown, while other messages may be moreeffective in other types of facilities.

Annunciators can be provided outside of the facility, in areas such asplaygrounds, sports fields, parking lots, etc. The outdoor annunciatorsmay be beneficial by notifying individuals outside of the facility toimmediately flee the area proximate the facility.

Occupants in a fire situation typically have time to evacuate a facilityin a methodical and orderly manner. However, in a lockdown situationinvolving an active shooter, time is of the essence, and occupants mayonly have a split second to respond, increasing the necessity that thelockdown annunciator be immediately recognizable. It is also importantfor the lockdown alarm to reset itself to avoid interfering withinternal communications between school personnel and police responders.In other words, the annunciation of many embodiments shuts down so thatemergency responders can listen and communicate with other responders,such as via radio. This procedure also enables responding authorities tohear sounds that may be helpful in order to combat a potential threat,e.g., gunfire (the source of which may be difficult to determine withina facility), sounds of victims calling for help, etc.

Some embodiments include strobe lights or other visual indicators toindicate or otherwise communicate the lockdown condition to facilityoccupants. The strobes may provide a minimum of approximately 15candelas with a flash pattern of approximately 60 flashes per minute,and otherwise comply with ANSI and NFPA regulations. In order todifferentiate from fire alarms and be most recognizable, the strobes orother visual indicators of some embodiments emit bright green or bluelight. In fact, it may be beneficial for the color of the light to matchor otherwise coordinate with the color of the actuator to enhance swiftrecognition of the lockdown condition and to avoid confusion. Thestrobes may continue to flash (after the annunciators have resetfollowing the approximately 60 to 90 second cycle) to continueindicating the lockdown condition without disrupting internalcommunications, such as with responding authorities. Strobes can also bedisposed outside of the facility, which may be beneficial forcommunicating the lockdown situation to individuals approaching thefacility in lockdown.

The disclosed system includes numerous flexibilities. For example, thesystem can be predominantly or entirely wireless, including wirelessstationary actuators, which may dramatically reduce installation costs.In fact, as an alternative or in addition to stationary actuators,wireless mobile actuators can be provided to certain facility occupants.The wireless system may be a viable solution in many applications basedon the enhanced reliability of current wireless technology and advancesin battery technology that increase battery life. Alternatively, thestationary actuators and annunciators can be hard wired to thecontroller, and even be wired pursuant to fire code to enhance propersignal transmission.

Any controller can be used to support the above basic system ofactuators, annunciators and strobes/visual indicators, while alsonotifying the police and/or monitoring station(s). In some embodiments,the lockdown controller is combined with the fire alarm controller orpanel. It may be beneficial for the lockdown controller to be poweredthrough an uninterrupted power source and connected to the telephonelines, but also be provided with battery and cellular backups.

As discussed above, some embodiments of the lockdown controller supportelements and functionalities beyond the above basic system, including:i) door hardware on interior and exterior doors to automatically lockupon activation, ii) electronic blueprints to show origination of theactivation, for viewing by police responders via smart phone, tablet,etc., iii) real time status indicators for each room within the facilityshowing doors that are closed and locked, and the status of theoccupants of each room, iv) integration with surveillance cameras andaccess control systems to view live feeds in hallways/rooms, and to lockand unlock doors remotely so that the responding authorities can movefreely and quickly throughout the facility, and v) two-way speakers inrooms from which authorities can listen in and/or communicate directlywith facility occupants.

However, the above listing of other components and functionalities ismerely provided for exemplary purposes, and is not intended toconstitute an exhaustive listing of components and functionalities. Forexample, some embodiments include applications, such as implementingsoftware and hardware, which enables facility occupants to communicateamong themselves and/or with law enforcement officials including firstresponders. In addition, some embodiments include software and/orhardware enabling communication with individuals not located at thefacility, such as enabling parents/guardians of students to be notifiedof a lockdown condition in their child's school, such as by textmessaging, email, voice notification, and/or any other medium.

Many embodiments of the system are beneficial based on theirscalability, and flexibility with regard to customization. For example,some embodiments include a very basic system covering manual actuatorsand audible and visual notification devices within the facility. Thisbasic system can expanded to include numerous other apparatus andfeatures, such as: i) door hardware on interior and exterior doors toautomatically lock upon activation; ii) communication devices to notifylocal authorities directly upon activation; iii) processors forproviding electronic blueprints to provide various types of relevantinformation, such as the actuator that initiated the lockdown, which insome embodiments can be viewed by the police department and respondingauthorities via smart phones, tablets, etc.; iv) processors forproviding real time status of each room within the facility, such asdoors status, i.e., closed, open, locked, unlocked, etc., and the statusof the occupants of each room, i.e., injured, dead, etc.; v) electronicsenabling integration with surveillance cameras, access control systems,etc., to provide live feeds in hallways, rooms, etc., and/or to lock andunlock doors remotely so that the responding authorities can move freelyand quickly throughout the facility; and vi) communications equipmentproviding one or two way communications between facility occupants andresponding authorities, which may be beneficial for a variety ofreasons, such as to enable responding authorities to understand thestatus of certain areas of the facility, to enable respondingauthorities to provide instructions to facility occupants that mayenhance their safety, etc.

2. Automatic Locking Mechanisms and/or Status Indicators

Some embodiments include other methods and apparatus that are notdirectly related to communicating initiation of lockdown procedures. Infact, embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover a varietyof apparatus that enhance outcomes upon initiation of lockdown otherthan merely communicating initiation of lockdown procedures to facilityoccupants.

For example, some embodiments include mechanisms that impede or prevententry into or traversal through certain areas of the facility uponinitiation of lockdown procedures. Some of these embodimentsautomatically or remotely close and/or lock certain doors uponinitiation of the lockdown. Embodiments are intended to include orotherwise cover any known, related art, or later developed technologiesfor performing these operations. These embodiments may be beneficial fora variety of reasons, such as to contain an individual whose actionswarranted the lockdown, such as an active shooter, to a discretelocation to minimize further damage caused by such an individual, assistin efforts, such as by responding authorities, to apprehend such anindividual, etc.

FIG. 10 is a schematic of a lockdown system in accordance with analternative exemplary embodiment that includes mechanisms for impedingor preventing entry into or traversal through certain areas of thefacility upon initiation of lockdown procedures. As shown in FIG. 10,the lockdown system 401 includes at least one actuator 403, at least oneannunciator 405, at least one visual indicator 407, and a controller409. The at least one actuator 403, annunciator 405, and visualindicator 407 are located at or proximate to the facility. Thecontroller 409 can be located at or proximate to the facility, oralternatively disposed away from the facility.

In accordance with this embodiment, manual actuation of the actuator 403results in transmission of a lockdown initiation signal to thecontroller 409. Upon receipt of the lockdown initiation signal, thecontroller 409 transmits an activation signal to the at least oneannunciator 405 and visual indicator 407. The at least one annunciator405 and visual indicator 407 communicate initiation of lockdownprocedures to individuals at or in proximity to the facility uponreceipt of the activation signal. Upon receipt of the lockdowninitiation signal, the controller 409 also transmits a communicationsignal to at least one authorized recipient 411. In many embodiments,the at least one authorized recipient 411 includes a centralizedfacility of authorized personnel for responding to emergencies,including but not limited to a police station, fire station, medicaldispatch unit, etc.

The features of this embodiment disclosed above are similar to thecorresponding features of the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, in theembodiment of FIG. 10, the controller 409, upon receipt of the lockdowninitiation signal from the actuator 403, transmits a control signal to amechanism for impeding or preventing entry into or traversal throughcertain areas of the facility (obstruction device) 413. The obstructiondevice 413 performs its obstruction operation upon receipt of thecontrol signal from the controller 409.

In some embodiments, the obstruction device 413 includes electronic doorlocking mechanisms or door strikes that automatically lock certain doorsof the facility to achieve the benefits disclosed above, e.g., tocontain an individual whose actions warranted the lockdown, such as anactive shooter, to a discrete location to minimize further damage causedby such an individual, assist in efforts, such as by respondingauthorities, to apprehend such an individual, etc. In other words,activation of the obstruction device 413, e.g., electronic door lockingmechanisms or door strikes, automatically locks certain doors of thefacility thereby providing safe havens for facility occupants.

In some of these embodiments, certain individuals, such as designatedfacility occupants, emergency responders, etc., can affect the operationof the obstruction device 413. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, anobstruction override device 415 can be provided to enable theseindividuals to override the obstruction device 413 for various reasons.For example, responding authorities can override each obstruction device413 in order, such as sequentially, as they search a facility to addressthe circumstances warranting the lockdown. Alternatively, respondingauthorities can override all obstruction devices 413 at once in order toevacuate a facility, or to resume normal facility operations followingtermination of lockdown procedures. In fact, embodiments are intended toinclude or otherwise cover any methods and apparatus for facilitatingentry of responding authorities to the facility and facilitatingmovement of the responding authorities within the facility.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any method orapparatus for performing this override operation. For example in someembodiments, the obstruction override device 415 can include apparatusfor entering the override instructions into the controller, such as viaa user interface, to override the obstruction device 413. The userinterface can be in any form, such as a keypad proximate the controller,a wireless device, etc. The override can be initiated via the userinterface in any manner, such as by entry of a certain code.Alternatively, one or more selected actuators can include an inputdevice, such as a separate button or switch, that enables actuation ofthe override.

It may be especially beneficial for the override to be initiated orotherwise performed in a manner to impede or prevent the unauthorizedoverride of the obstruction device 413, such as by an individual whoseactions warranted the lockdown. For example, it may be preferable thatonly certain actuators include this override feature to reduce thelikelihood of the override being performed under improper circumstances.For example, it may be preferable that the actuators having the overridefeature only be disposed proximate a specially trained facilityoccupant, i.e., specifically trained in override procedures, such as aschool principal. In other words, it may be preferable to dispose thesespecial actuators in areas that are only accessible by, or otherwiseunder the control of, facility occupants with authorization to overridethe obstruction device 413.

Some embodiments include additional or alternative methods and apparatusthat enhance outcomes upon initiation of lockdown other than merelycommunicating initiation of lockdown procedures to facility occupants.Some of these methods and apparatus are usable with some of the featuresdisclosed above. For example, some embodiments provide certain statusinformation relevant to the circumstances warranting the lockdown, orissues relevant to addressing these circumstances, to certain facilityoccupants, responding authorities, etc.

Some of these embodiments provide status information in the form of dataindicating the status of obstructions, such as doors, including but notlimited to information relating to door's condition, e.g., open, closed,locked, unlocked, etc. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwisecover any manner or form of presentation of this data to the designatedfacility occupants, responding authorities, etc. For example, thisinformation can be provided in the form of an electronic rendering ofthe facility, such as electronic blueprints. In some of theseembodiments, the electronic blueprints identify the status of each doorin the facility, such as open, closed, unlocked, locked, etc.

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any methods andapparatus for communicating the electronic blueprints (which identifythe status of each door in the facility, such as open, closed, unlocked,locked, etc.) to the designated facility occupants, respondingauthorities, etc. In some such embodiments, the system can be configuredso that the recipients (e.g., responding authorities) receive theelectronic blueprints on mobile wireless devices, such as smart phones,iPods, iPads, computers in police cars, etc., which may be especiallybeneficial because it provides the responding authorities with thisrelevant information as they search or perform other activities in thefacility, such as activities for addressing the circumstances warrantingthe lockdown.

The above system can be further configured to provide the respondingauthorities with other highly relevant information, or to hi-lightcertain relevant information. For example, certain information relatingto relevant portions of the facility can be transmitted or communicatedto the mobile wireless devices of the responding authorities. In some ofthese embodiments, detailed blueprints of the region of the facilityproximate an actuator that was actuated to initiate lockdown procedurescan be transmitted or communicated to the mobile wireless devices.

Some of the above embodiments include additional features. For example,the system can be configured so that the electronic blueprints can beused to enable communication between facility occupants, or betweenfacility occupants and others, such as responding authorities. Forexample, clicking on a certain room of the electronic blueprintdisplayed on a responding officer's mobile device can initiatecommunications between that responding officer and occupants of thatroom.

These embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type ofcommunication, including verbal communications, written communications,communications using symbols, etc. These communications can be eitherone-way or two-way. Thus, in some embodiments, the responding officerverbally communicates with the facility occupants, while in otherembodiments the facility occupants merely electronically transmit wordsor symbols to the responding officer, such as words or symbolscommunicating the status of the room that they occupy. For example, theroom occupants may transmit words or symbols indicating that they aresafe, under attack or threatened, etc. In addition, the room occupantscan communicate the existence of injuries, death, etc.

Some of these embodiments also transmit the above information to otherentities in addition to the responding officer and facility occupants.For example, some embodiments transmit this information to otherresponding authorities, such as authorities arriving at or traveling tothe facility, authorities disposed at centralized locations, such as ata police station, hospital, fire station, etc. This information can betransmitted or otherwise communicated using any known, related art, orlater developed technologies, including over the internet, via anetwork, such as a secured network, etc.

3. Video and/or Still Image Data

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any methods andapparatus for determining status or location of an individual whoseactions warranted initiation of the lockdown procedures, such as anactive shooter. For example, some embodiments are intended to include orotherwise cover any methods and apparatus for collecting, transmitting,using, and/or storing video or still image data, including known,related art, or later developed technologies. A few such embodiments areprovided below for exemplary purposes, and they are not intended toconstitute an exhaustive listing of all such uses of video or stillimage data covered by the various embodiments.

In some embodiments, video or still image cameras are provided at, on orproximate the actuators. In some of these embodiments, the cameras areintegral to the actuator so as to form a combined camera/actuatorassembly. These embodiments may be beneficial by providing a video orstill image record of the circumstances resulting in initiation oflockdown procedures.

For example, video or still images of the individual actuating theactuator, as well as circumstances occurring before and/or after theactuation, can be beneficial for numerous reasons. This information maybe helpful in investigations following the lockdown, as well as tocertain facility occupants and others, such as responding authorities,during the lockdown. Although the image data captured by the combinedcamera/actuator assembly that was actuated to initiate the lockdown maybe especially beneficial, other image data captured by other sources mayalso be beneficial. In fact, dispersing combined camera/actuatorassemblies throughout the facility may be beneficial, such as toresponding authorities, by providing image data of the entire facility.

This data may also be helpful to facility occupants who are shelteringin place, and thus it can be transmitted to these facility occupants. Insome of these embodiments, the video or still image data is transmittedto screens accessible to the facility occupants sheltering in place,such as for display on permanently installed screens in the rooms wherethe occupants are sheltering in place, or alternatively or additionallyon mobile communication devices.

4. Impeding or Addressing Circumstances Warranting Lockdown

Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover other apparatusand methods for impeding or otherwise addressing the circumstanceswarranting the lockdown. Some of these apparatus and methods aredisclosed below for exemplary purposes, but are not intended toconstitute an exhaustive listing of all such methods and apparatus.

Some embodiments include apparatus for subduing, incapacitating, orotherwise making less effective an individual whose actions warrantedthe lockdown. For example, some embodiments include apparatus thatperforms this operation be generating acoustic or optical transmissionsdirected to subduing, incapacitating, etc. such as individual. Some suchembodiments are configured to automatically or remotely deploy suchapparatus upon initiation of lockdown procedures. As one such example,actuation of an actuator can deploy acoustic or optical transmissionsdesigned to subdue or confuse an active shooter. Some of theseembodiments deploy such apparatus at locations proximate estimatedlocations of the active shooter, such as at locations proximate anactuator that was actuator to initiate lockdown procedures.

Alternatively, or in addition to the above, some embodiments includeapparatus for helping to secure locations where facility occupantsshelter in place. For example, in areas that are appropriate forsheltering in place, such as rooms with doors that lock, apparatus canbe provided to make these areas more secure. For example, afterinitiation of lockdown procedures, apparatus can be manually added tolocked doors, such as by facility occupants who are sheltering in placetherein, that impede efforts by the individual whose actions warrantedthe lockdown to obtain access to the secured room or otherwise causeharm therein.

For example, an obstruction can be disposed along all or portions of thelocked door to perform this operation. Some of these embodiments includea mechanism to impede the door from being forced open, such as a supportthat provides resistance to forced entry, e.g., a member that extendsfrom the back surface of the door to the floor. Some of these and/orother embodiments include a cover that extends across all or portions ofthe door to provide an obstruction, such as from firearms. For example,a bullet resistant material can be draped across the door to impedeentry of discharges of firearms. Similar material can be used to provideobstructions across other relevant surfaces, such as across windows orother areas that are likely targets of active shooters.

B. Exemplary Procedures

Some embodiments relate to or otherwise involve lockdown procedures,including critical response training to enhance the overall securityposture of a facility by training certain facility occupants, such asfacility staff, to properly use the apparatus disclosed above. Forexample, in the context of a school, students and staff members(including teachers and school administrators) are trained as to theproper circumstances for actuating the system, and to follow proceduresdesigned to safeguard the students and staff members once the lockdownalarm has been activated. For example, staff members are trained to spotpotential threats and unusual behavior, and to identify soundsconsistent with violent incidents.

Training seminars can be performed independent of the apparatusdisclosed above, such as in facilities that do not include a lockdownsystem or other apparatus, to enable facility occupants to followprocedures designed to enhance their safety in dangerous situations,including active shooter incidents. The training seminars can beimplemented in various ways, such as by providing on-site lectures andtraining seminars. Alternatively or additionally, the training seminarscan be implemented via webinars to facilitate reaching a wider audience,or even implemented as application based videos.

In some embodiments directed to schools, webinar participants caninclude students and staff members from a large number of schools aroundthe country. Webinars can also be used to effectively reach others whoare impacted by or utilizing functionalities that are beyond the basicsystem. For example, webinars can be directed to parents/guardians ofstudents who are notified of a lockdown condition in their child'sschool, to ensure that the parents/guardians follow proper procedures,such as to gather at appropriate locations that are safe and that do notimpede law enforcement operations.

The training seminars of many embodiments include the concept ofsheltering in place upon initiation of lockdown procedures, which isdisclosed in more detail above. As previously disclosed, sheltering inplace is very different from evacuating a facility, such as in thecontext of a fire alarm, which is typically not appropriate in manylockdown situations, such as those involving an active shooter.Sheltering in place may be especially beneficial by enhancing the safetyof facility occupants for a certain amount of time until respondingauthorities can address the circumstances warranting the lockdown. Thetraining seminars of some embodiments also covers disadvantages ininvestigating certain potentially dangerous situations, as opposed toimmediately sheltering in place.

In some embodiments, facility occupants are trained as to the propersituations for sheltering in place (creating a barrier between thefacility occupant and the dangerous condition, i.e., the individualwhose actions warranted the lockdown, such as an active shooter) versusfleeing the facility (creating a distance between the facility occupantand the dangerous condition, i.e., the individual whose actionswarranted the lockdown, such as an active shooter). Some embodimentstrain facility occupants as to the proper and improper locations toshelter in place. For example, it may not be appropriate to shelter inplace in an unsecured location that can be accessed by the individualwhose actions warranted the lockdown, such as an active shooter. Infact, some embodiments include apparatus, such as identifiers or signsthat are posted at or proximate entrances of unsecured areas or spaces,such as restrooms, reinforcing the disadvantages of sheltering in placein an unsecured location during a lockdown.

As discussed above, the lockdown training can constitute a preplanned,rehearsed, and coordinated response carried out by facility occupantswithin a defined area that is designed to create time through the use ofbarriers and distance. The time provided by these procedures is designedto be greater than the time it will take responding authorities to enterthe area and address the circumstances warranting the lockdown.

IV. OTHER ALTERNATIVES

While the subject matter has been described in detail with reference toexemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. All related art referencesdiscussed in the above Description of the Related Art section are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lockdown apparatus for facilitating initiationof lockdown procedures at a facility that is configured for occupationby facility occupants and that includes a fire alarm, the fire alarmincluding a fire alarm actuator and a fire alarm communicator configuredto produce a fire alarm communication for communicating actuation of thefire alarm actuator, the lockdown apparatus comprising: a manuallyoperated lockdown actuator disposed at the facility and configured totransmit a lockdown initiation signal upon being manually actuated, themanually operated actuator being configured to be recognizablydistinguishable from the fire alarm actuator; and a lockdowncommunicator configured to produce a lockdown communication forcommunicating initiation of lockdown procedures to the facilityoccupants and individuals not disposed proximate the facility upontransmission of the lockdown initiation signal, the lockdowncommunication being recognizably distinguishable from the fire alarmcommunication.
 2. The lockdown apparatus of claim 1, wherein theactuator includes a mounting base configured for mounting to a staticsurface of the facility, and a depressible button disposed at themounting base, the mounting base and button each defining a frontexterior surface that is circular, the diameter of the circle of thebutton being smaller than the diameter of the circle of the mountingbase.
 3. The lockdown apparatus of claim 2, wherein the circular frontexterior surfaces of the mounting base and button are coaxial, and oneof the front exterior surfaces is labelled with indicia including“LOCKDOWN.”
 4. The lockdown apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuatorincludes a mounting base configured for mounting to a static surface ofthe facility, and a depressible button disposed at the mounting base anddefining a front exterior surface, the actuator transmitting thelockdown initiation signal upon application of a force betweenapproximately 4.5 pounds and approximately 5.5 pounds to the button in adirection substantially perpendicular to the front exterior surface ofthe button.
 5. The lockdown apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuatorincludes a mounting base configured for mounting to a static surface ofthe facility, a depressible button disposed at the mounting base anddefining a front exterior surface, and a cover that covers at least thefront exterior surface of the button, the cover being at least one oftransparent and semi-transparent such that the button is viewable froman exterior of the actuator while the cover covers the button.
 6. Thelockdown apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cover is formed of aresilient material and rotatably mounted to at least one of the mountingbase and the button, the cover being rotatable between a coveredposition that covers at least the front exterior surface of the button,and an exposed position that exposes at least the front exterior surfaceof the button to enable manual application of pressure thereto.
 7. Thelockdown apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cover defines a frontexterior surface and is formed of a material that undergoes a change inshape upon application of a force between approximately 4.5 pounds andapproximately 5.5 pounds to the cover in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the front exterior surface of the of the cover, thechange in shape exposing the front exterior surface of the button tomanual application of pressure thereto.
 8. The lockdown apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the change in shape includes at least one of: 1) aportion of the cover exposed to the force deforms in a directionsubstantially parallel to a direction of application of the force, and2) a portion of the cover exposed to the force breaks to form anaperture in the cover to expose the front exterior surface of the buttonto an exterior of the actuator.
 9. The lockdown apparatus of claim 1,wherein the lockdown communicator includes an annunciator thatcommunicates an audible annunciation to facility occupants upontransmission of the lockdown initiation signal, the audible annunciationbeing recognizably distinguishable from the fire alarm communication.10. The lockdown apparatus of claim 9, wherein the annunciator includesa casing that is configured for mounting to a static surface of thefacility, and an audible generator disposed within the casing thatgenerates the audible annunciation upon transmission of the lockdowninitiation signal, the casing defining a front wall with multipleopenings extending therethrough, the front wall defining a circularexterior surface.
 11. The lockdown apparatus of claim 9, wherein theannunciation generated by the audible generator includes an alarm cycle,each alarm cycle including an initial distinctive sound, followed by theword “lockdown” repeated at least three times.
 12. The lockdownapparatus of claim 11, wherein the annunciation generated by the audiblegenerator includes a predetermined number of alarm cycles upontransmission of the lockdown initiation signal, the audible generatorceasing to generate further alarm cycles subsequent to generation of thepredetermined number of alarm cycles.
 13. The lockdown apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the predetermined number of alarm cycles includesthree alarm cycles.
 14. The lockdown apparatus of claim 11, wherein theaudible generator generates at least a portion of the audibleannunciation in a range between approximately 90 to 120 decibels. 15.The lockdown apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lockdown communicatorincludes a visual indicator that communicates a visual indication tofacility occupants upon transmission of the lockdown initiation signal,the visual indication being recognizably distinguishable from the firealarm communication.
 16. The lockdown apparatus of claim 15, wherein thevisual indicator includes a casing that is configured for mounting to astatic surface of the facility, a light generator disposed at the casingthat generates light upon transmission of the lockdown initiationsignal, and a transparent cover attached to at least one of the casingand the light generator that covers at least a part of the lightgenerator.
 17. The lockdown apparatus of claim 16, wherein the casing ofthe visual indicator defines a front wall having a circular exteriorsurface that is labelled with indicia including “LOCKDOWN,” and thelight generator generates at least one of blue light and green light.18. The lockdown apparatus of claim 16, wherein the light generator is astrobe that generates light at an intensity of between approximately 75candelas and approximately 200 candelas, and at a flash pattern of atleast approximately 60 flashes per minute.
 19. The lockdown apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the visual indicator continues to communicate thevisual indication to facility occupants upon transmission of thelockdown initiation signal until receiving a manually initiated overridesignal instructing the visual indicator to cease communication of thevisual indication.
 20. The lockdown apparatus of claim 1, furtherincluding a controller, the actuator transmitting the lockdowninitiation signal to the controller upon being manually actuated, andthe controller, upon receipt of the lockdown initiation signal,generating and transmitting an activation instruction signal to thelockdown communicator instructing the lockdown communicator to producethe lockdown communication for communicating initiation of lockdownprocedures.